Aug 2, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
There are so many times when a manager takes a blame for an in-game decision. Zack Wheeler wasn't going to let that be the case on Saturday.
Even though he had 10 strikeouts, Wheeler allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits and three home runs, including a two-run blast by Javier Baez in the top of the seventh, in a game the Phillies ultimately lost 7-5.
Manager Rob Thomson holds his post-game press conference first, before the players speak to the media. Thomson was asked why Wheeler was sent back out to pitch the seventh inning when he had reached 95 pitches through six and although, at that point, he had allowed just two runs, he had given up a bunch of singles and didn't have the best command of his fastball or sinker.
"[I] just wanted him to get out there for those two right-handed hitters. Their 8-9 guys," Thomson said. "(Tanner) Banks was coming in to face (Colt) Keith no matter what."
The first righty, Detroit catcher Dillon Dingler, reached base on an error by Otto Kemp. Then Baez jumped on Wheeler's first pitch, a 95 mph sinker that didn't sink and put it into the left field seats, ending Wheeler's day.
But, maybe the decision to go back out there wasn't completely Thomson's.
Zack Wheeler says he lobbied Rob Thomson to go back out for the seventh inning.
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/9QJ6CPTyyu
"I feel bad for Topper," Wheeler said. "I don't know if you guys asked him, but that was on me going back out there for the seventh. I kind of told him that I really wanted to and we just have that respect for each other, so he let me.
"At the end of the day, maybe I shouldn't have, but I really did feel good being able to go back out there. So, if it turned out differently, then I'm not even sitting here saying that, but I just want to take that one off him. That's on me."
Wheeler is obviously a competitor. He's one of those pitchers that never wants to come out of a game. Making the situation more heightened for him, he was squaring off with Tarik Skubal, arguably the sport's best starting pitcher right now.
"That's why it's so frustrating," Wheeler said. "Because you know he's not going to give up anything ... and you just want to go out there and match him and put up zeros. It was a battle, and I came up on the short end. He's the best in the game."
Wheeler shouldn't sell himself short. Skubal may be ahead of him now, but there's no question the three best pitchers in the sport are Skubal, Paul Skenes and Wheeler.
In the end, their pitching lines were pretty similar. Skubal went one more inning, they both allowed three earned runs, had 10 strikeouts and no walks. They each threw 98 pitches. Skubal threw three more strikes. Wheeler gave up a few more hits, but that's it.
And although he nearly matched Skubal, Wheeler wasn't happy with his outing for the third start in a row.
How many Tigers fans owe Javy Baez an apology? Leave yours in the comments.
If the hip is right, the bat flip is right. Go Javy! #RepDetroit
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"My fastball command was off," Wheeler said. "I was pulling a lot of stuff and it's probably the worst my sinker has ever been. ... It's the consistency. The command isn't the same. That's about it."
Wheeler almost threw a perfect game against Cincinnati back on July 6. He allowed one hit that game - a home run to former teammate Austin Hays - but otherwise pitched a complete game and struck out 12.
Since then, though, he's been just OK - which for Wheeler, is subpar.
In four starts since against four teams currently in playoff spots - San Diego, Boston, the New York Yankees and Detroit - Wheeler is 0-2 with a 4.94 ERA, having allowed 14 runs (13 earned) and 27 hits in 23 2/3 innings. He does have 34 strikeouts and only three walks in those games, but he has given up six home runs.
"It's kind of just a feel thing and like I said last time, I just need to be better," Wheeler said. "I need to get my command back. For whatever reason, I just haven't had it. You go through those sometimes throughout the season."
