That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: 3 Overperformers and Underperformers of First Half

By Bryce Turner

Jul 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Ronald Torreyes (74) follows through on a three run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Ronald Torreyes (74) follows through on a three run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Underperformer 1: Aaron Nola

Aaron Nola Phillies
Jun 19, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola (27) throws the ball to first base to try and catch a San Francisco Giants runner talking a lead off during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Nola entered the season as one of the Phillies’ two best starters, but his inconsistency has made it hard to count on an ace-like outing. He has a 6-5 record, 4.53 ERA, 1.214 WHIP and 126 strikeouts through 18 starts.

Those numbers aren’t horrible. His record is tied with Zack Wheeler, while his ERA is third-best in the rotation and his WHIP and strikeouts are both second-best. Still, his ERA is high for a reason, as he’s underperformed in multiple outings, often after pitching a gem.

Nola gave up just two hits while striking out 10, in a complete-game shutout on April 18 before giving up four runs off of six hits and a walk in seven innings on April 24, albeit in Colorado. He pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings while giving up just three hits and a walk, on June 13 before giving up six runs in only 2 1/3 innings on June 19.

Nola pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings while striking out 12, on June 25 before giving up seven runs off of nine hits in 4 2/3 innings at home on June 30. Overall, he gave up three or more earned runs in 11 of 18 games, while going less than six innings in half of his starts.

While he’s still the next-best behind Wheeler in the Phillies’ rotation, there’s a lot of space between them, and Nola’s inconsistency is reason for concern and not what fans expect from the former Cy Young Award finalist.

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