That Balls Outta Here
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Biggest Philadelphia Phillies winners and losers in May

By Gabrielle Starr

May 12, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) watches the flight of the ball on a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper (3) watches the flight of the ball on a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Zack Wheeler, Phillies
May 18, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports /

Winner: Zack Wheeler

After a slow and careful spring, Zack Wheeler is back in Cy Young-contender form.

He made four starts in April totaling 18 2/3 innings and allowed 12 earned runs for a 5.79 ERA, though most of those came in a seven-run shelling by the Miami Marlins. He only struck out 18 of 84 batters, who hit .247/.345/.384 with a .729 OPS when he was on the mound.

But in May, Wheels looked like himself again; over five starts totaling 32 2/3 innings, he allowed only six earned runs and struck out 40 of 127 batters faced. Lineups hit .231/.268/.331 with a meager .598 OPS against him.

He’s also leading the National League with a 2.38 FIP and 0.4 HR9, which matches his career-best set in 2020.

Loser: Kyle Schwarber

After starting his Phillies career with a home run in his first at-bat on Opening Day, Kyle Schwarber is not doing well. He is hitting better in May, but that’s not saying very much, considering his April numbers were .169/.298/.423/.720 and he hit .202/.310/.414/.724 in May. Over seven more games in the second month of the season, Schwarber hit the same amount of doubles as the first (3) and only one more home run, but drover in fewer runs. He struck out 38 times in 27 games.

The Phillies clearly thought that reuniting Schwarber with his favorite hitting coach Kevin Long would be the ultimate cheat code, but so far, that hasn’t been the case at all.

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