Zack Wheeler Puts Painful Memory Behind Him with Dominant Performance in NL Wild Card Series Game 1
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler has been carrying the weight of a bitter memory for nearly a year, but on Tuesday night, he took his first step towards redemption.
It was Game 6 of the 2022 World Series when Wheeler, despite holding a 1-0 lead, was unexpectedly pulled in the sixth inning. At the time, he was throwing phenomenally, with teammate J.T. Realmuto even describing his pitches as “lightning bolts.” However, Yordan Alvarez’s monstrous hit ultimately sealed the loss for the Phillies, abruptly ending their season in Houston.
Determined to replace that painful memory with a triumphant one, Wheeler entered Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series with a burning desire to hoist the World Series championship trophy. And he wasted no time proving his determination.
Wheeler delivered a dominant performance, leading the Phillies to a convincing 4-1 victory over the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. With a victory in Game 2, the Phillies can secure their spot in the next round.
Throughout the matchup, Wheeler showcased his prowess on the mound. Over the course of 6 2/3 innings, he allowed only one run, struck out eight batters, and conceded just five hits. His fastball consistently averaged 96.8 mph, exceeding his season average by 1.0 mph. Additionally, his most recent addition to his repertoire, a sweeping pitch, proved to be highly effective. Previously, Wheeler had never struck out more than three batters with this pitch, but on Tuesday, he managed to strike out five.
While Wheeler’s performance was undoubtedly outstanding, his teammates also contributed to the team’s victory. Marlins’ pitcher Jesús Luzardo struggled to contain the Phillies’ offense, allowing three runs on eight hits in just four innings. Alec Bohm’s crucial two-out double in the third inning scored Johan Rojas, resulting in the first run of the game. Then, in the fourth inning, Bryson Stott and Cristian Pache both singled, bringing in two additional runs to extend the Phillies’ lead to 3-0. The team sealed the deal in the eighth inning when Nick Castellanos doubled, allowing Bryce Harper to score.
As the Phillies celebrate their Game 1 victory, the team and their fans remain hopeful that their journey through the postseason will end with the triumphant sight of Zack Wheeler hoisting the coveted World Series championship trophy, effectively erasing the painful memory that has haunted him for the past year.