Zack Wheeler Shines as Phillies Win Opening Playoff Game Against Marlins
After four years in Philly, Zack Wheeler knows the crowd will be loud, the beverages will flow, and Citizens Bank Park will be jumping for a big game.
“I knew it was going to be crazy,” he said after the Phillies opened their 2023 postseason with a 4-1 win over the Marlins, “but I didn’t expect that. That was awesome.”
Wheeler, who has started Game 1 in three of the Phillies’ five playoff series over the last 12 months and won all three, pitched a gem into the seventh inning. The Phillies looked like the more ready team on Tuesday, as they had baserunners early and often. The bullpen delivered zeroes, and every starting position player had a hit. They played clean defense, making impressive catches and shutting down the Marlins’ offense.
“It was electric,” said Trea Turner, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two stolen bases in his Phillies playoff debut. “It was a lot of fun. From the start, I think, intros are pretty funny. I laugh at just the energy and watching the other team kind of have to deal with it. Always kind of fun. But they were good. They were good all game from the first inning, on their feet every two strikes. It was fun to be a part of.”
Turner, along with Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos, stepped up for the Phillies, knowing they would need their right-handed hitters against the Marlins’ pitching staff heavily comprised of lefties. Their efforts paid off, as they combined for six hits, including four doubles.
“We think everyone’s here for a reason, and we all can contribute,” Turner said. “We grind things out, whether it’s offensively or pitching staff, whatever it may be. The bullpen was awesome. Our at-bats, I thought, were pretty good off a good pitching staff. They got really good arms over there. We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we grind things out. It was a good team win.”
However, the star of the game was undoubtedly Zack Wheeler. Known for his exceptional performance in playoff games, Wheeler continues to impress as he took his career to the next level as a Phillie. Since signing with the team after the 2019 season, he has been regarded as one of the top-five starting pitchers in all of baseball and leads all starting pitchers in WAR (Wins Above Replacement) over that time.
Wheeler credits the electric atmosphere created by the Phillies’ passionate fans for his standout performances in the playoffs. “I don’t know, honestly. It’s got to be the atmosphere and the adrenaline going,” Wheeler said. “As soon as I stepped foot out of the dugout to go stretch out there in the bullpen, the crowd went nuts, and I got chills. So it started right there. I think it just kind of carries into me throwing the baseball. It definitely helps.”
Manager Rob Thomson expressed his appreciation for Wheeler’s contributions, saying, “I hope (people) appreciate it because I certainly do. I think everybody in this organization appreciates what he’s done because it’s been phenomenal. Tonight is no exception, so hopefully he keeps it going.”
Wheeler’s outstanding performance sets up the Phillies for success as they aim to advance to the NLDS. While he is expected to start Game 2 in Atlanta if the Phillies secure another win over the Marlins, the team will look to Aaron Nola to deliver a similar quality start in the next round.
“Him and Nola, they’ve been in some pretty big games the last couple of postseasons,” Thomson said of Nola.
The Phillies are riding high after their dominant win in Game 1, and with the support of their passionate fans and the exceptional performances from their players, they are poised for a successful playoff run.