Aug 23, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
With the news of Zack Wheeler needing another surgery - thus ending his season - finally being announced by the team on Saturday, the Phillies now know they need another right-handed pitcher to step into the spotlight.
Enter Aaron Nola.
Yeah, most people forgot about him while he was on the injured list for three months dealing with ankle and rib issues.
Those who didn't, dismissed Nola because of how poor his season was going when he wasn't hurt. And it's hard to fault those folks. Nola entered his start on Saturday with a 1-7 record and an eyesore for an ERA (6.92).
It didn't help that in his first start back from the I.L., the day after the Phillies learned that Wheeler had a blood clot in his shoulder, Nola was lit up and couldn't get through the third inning, coughing up a six-run lead.
Confidence from the fans was unsurprisingly low.
And even though he had a far more encouraging outing against the same team on Saturday - a 6-4 win by the Phillies - that fan anxiety isn't about to change. They are going to need more that one good outing to overcome their fears.
And Nola knows that, too. Which is why he's ready to slay that jittery dragon.
"I just need to step up in general," he said. "I want to throw some more good games. I pretty much have one month left in the regular season and I'm going to do everything I can to give it my all out there and hopefully, for the guys, (put them) in a good position to win every time I'm out there and hopefully keep feeling good."
Nola felt good on Saturday. He pitched six innings, allowed two earned runs - both solo homers in the sixth inning. He pitched out of a tough jam in the fifth that was created through no fault of his own. He looked a lot more like the Aaron Nola the Phillies have expected over his lengthy career in Philadelphia.
My rotation prediction if the Postseason started today:
1. Cristopher Sanchez
2. Ranger Suarez
3. Aaron Nola
4. Jesus Luzardo pic.twitter.com/OTQQSq01fg
It was important because, this year is easily his most challenging and difficult year of his 11-year career. He's been wearing that bad record and ERA like a ketchup stain on a white shirt that just won't seem to come out no matter how many times you wash it.
But, there's still time for it to be turned completely around. The numbers may not ever look good collectively, but a fresh Nola in September and October can make up at least part of what is lost by not having Wheeler.
"I can't really hang my head on all that stuff right now," Nola said. "I'm healthy right now. I'm glad to be back and that's all behind me. I want to go out and throw good games the rest of the season."
For one night, against a plucky Nationals team that tagged him six days earlier, it went as he wanted.
It might be 4 innings against one of the worst teams in baseball, but Aaron Nola looks fantastic today! pic.twitter.com/whLkL0zgsE
"I always believe in him," manager Rob Thomson said. "I know how hard he works. He's always prepared. He always competes. He's got really good stuff. This year has been different because of the [injuries] but you always think that Nola's going to go out there and give you a good outing. You really do. Just because he's done it for so long."
It makes it easier to believe in Nola when you see his fastball velocity get back up higher. He got it back to being regularly in the 93 to 94 MPH range. He did exceed 94MPH on one pitch. This was a significant jump from his last start where he was sitting in the 90-91 MPH range.
When his fast ball has more velocity, his other pitches play up. He had 16 swings and misses in those six innings, 11 came on the curveball, which plays even better off a harder fastball.
"I feel like when velocity is up like that, I feel like I'm on top of it a little bit more," Nola said. "I get a little more jump before it gets to the plate and [I'm] able to get away with a little bit more. I felt good tonight. The fastball felt really good. It was enough to set up some other stuff, especially my curveball."
Aaron Nola threw 43 curveballs today - good for 43.3% of his total pitches
⚾️It is the 2nd highest % in a game in his career
⚾️It is the 7th time he's thrown 43+ curves in a game
⚾️First time he threw 40+ since 8/27/2024#Phillies | #RingTheBell
It's these kinds of starts the Phillies are going to need from Nola the rest of the way. They need a righthanded starter for the postseason. They can't just roll with the three lefties, even if they are pitching well. There needs to be someone to break up that mix.
It was very likely always going to be Nola in some capacity, but with Wheeler part of the rotation, Nola would have been a luxury to have later in the line of starting pitchers.
Now, he's going to be thrust back into the spotlight at a time when his team is all in to try and bring home a championship.
He's been an ace before. He doesn't need to be one fully again - just have enough flashes of when he was to keep his team in a position to win games.
Although, being one again wouldn't hurt, would it?
