After a dominating start Tuesday night, Phillies starter Aaron Nola continues to show he is an ace and among the best in the league.
Remember the end of last season when then-Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Aaron Nola was a “solid No. 3 starter”? Well, he was fired upward two days later for a myriad of reasons, but that comment sure didn’t help his case.
When Mackanin said that, Nola was wrapping up a breakout season. He finished the year with a 3.54 ERA, 1.208 WHIP, and 3.76 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 27 starts. Nola’s 4.3 wins above replacement ranked ninth among National League pitchers. His 9.86 K/9 ranked seventh and 3.27 fielding-independent pitching ranked fifth in the NL.
By all accounts, Nola established himself as one of the best pitchers in the league last year. He continued to show that he is among the best with his performance Tuesday night against the Giants.
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Nola had one of the best starts of his career, setting a career high with 12 strikeouts. He pitched seven one-run innings, allowing no walks and five hits. His fielding-independent pitching for the game was -0.27, easily the lowest of his career in any one start.
Nola has now gone seven innings or more in five of his eight starts this season. His last six starts have all been quality starts. He has allowed more than two runs just once.
He has issued just three walks combined in his last five starts. Nola is, how you say, heating up.
After his start last night, Nola now leads all National League players (pitchers and hitters) with 2.4 wins above replacement. He also ranks among the best in the NL in ERA (fifth), wins (second), and WHIP (third).
What has been so different for Nola this year has been his command. His walk rate is lower than it ever has been. After the game, the Giants simply just had to give props to Nola for the command of his pitches: [quotes via Matt Gelb of the Athletic]
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"“He was throwing all three pitches for strikes,” Andrew McCutchen said after the Phillies’ 4-2 win. “He would throw any pitch in any count.”“He was throwing a couple of different fastballs,” Buster Posey said. “He commanded the changeup really well. And he dropped in breaking balls. He was pretty good tonight.”“He was throwing any pitch at any time for strikes,” Bruce Bochy said. “He’s a good pitcher.”"
When the opposing team can’t do anything but praise the opposing pitcher, you know he had a good night.
Nola put himself into the conversation as one of the best pitchers in the league last year.
His strong performance so far this year has elevated him in the conversation. If it weren’t for Jake Arrieta being on the team, Nola would easily be considered the ace on the staff. Even still, Nola certainly should be considered among the best in the league.
Gelb compiled the list of all pitchers who have a lower ERA than Nola in 200 innings or more since last year. They are:
"Corey KluberMax ScherzerClayton KershawChris SaleStephen StrasburgLuis SeverinoGio GonzalezJustin Verlander"
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But remember guys, Nola is a No. 3 starter.