Since coming back from the disabled list, Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola has been alternating between great and poor starts.
Aaron Nola returned from the disabled list May 21 in grand fashion. He tossed seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits and two walks. However, the Phillies lost as the lone run Nola allowed was the only run of the game.
Since that start, Nola has alternated between poor and solid starts. He gave up five and four runs in his next two starts before giving up just one run over eight innings with six strikeouts June 6 against the Braves.
After his start against the Braves, Nola gave up three runs in five innings before allowing five runs in six innings in his next two starts. At that point, his ERA for the season was 4.76.
Thursday afternoon against the Cardinals Nola was dominant yet again. In 7.1 innings, he struck out batters, allowing a lone run on a solo home run.
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The Nola we saw May 21, June 6, and Thursday is the Nola that can be a frontline starter. However, in between those starts he looks like a barely passable starter.
Manager Pete Mackanin talked after Thursday’s game about what Nola can do when he is on his game:
"“Well that’s the Nola we all have come to know and love,” manager Pete Mackanin said. “He was outstanding today. … He was painting on both sides of the plate. Real good curveball. Threw a lot of good changeups. I think he got tired in that eighth inning, but it was great to see him rebound from the struggles he’s been going through.”"
Catcher Cameron Rupp told Seidman about how Nola can succeed when he gets first pitch strikes. Nola threw a first-pitch strike against 18 of the 24 batters he faced Thursday.
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"“And when you do that, that opens up so many doors with your pitch sequence, being able to pitch and get in on guys, maybe throw a purpose pitch for a ball, maybe they swing and you’re 0-2 and that opens up the outer half even bigger. He threw strikes, he pounded the zone, and when you do that, you’re going to have so much success.“That’s what he did his first year-and-a-half up here. He got away from locating his pitches and the injuries, I’m sure, didn’t help, but he attacked the zone and did a great job for us. … When you do that, the sky is the limit, and he showed that today.”"
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If this pattern is any indication, Nola will have two rather pedestrian starts before having another solid start right around the All-Star Break.