The Philadelphia Phillies rotation has been a topic of conversation all season long, with Aaron Nola struggling as the fourth starter while a rotating fifth man in the rotation provided winless outings from May 15 through early August.
After Monday night’s 9-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners, the Phillies suddenly seem to have another pitching problem, with Zack Wheeler struggling since denying an invitation to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in his home ballpark.
Seattle smacked around Wheeler while many Phillies fans were sleeping on Monday night. He allowed nine hits and eight earned runs over four innings, but it was really the three home run trots he allowed that raised the most eyebrows. The right-hander immediately conceded an early 1-0 Phillies lead and watched as Seattle plastered five runs on the scoreboard before the first three outs were in the books.
If it had been a one-off situation, there would be no reason to raise the alarm. Unfortunately, interim manager Don Mattingly is now dealing with a starter who has recorded only one quality start since mid-July, a tough-luck 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 21, in which he limited the two-time defending World Series champions to just five hits over seven innings. Things haven’t gone well during Wheeler’s turn in the rotation since that appearance a few weeks ago.
Zack Wheeler's turbulence dates back to MLB All- Star Break
Since that start against Los Angeles on July 21, Wheeler allowed five runs in six innings in a no-decision against Miami as the Marlins snapped a franchise-record 12-game losing streak in an 8-7 walk-off victory. It was one of those games where there was magic in Miami’s bat after nearly two weeks of consistent losing.
Wheeler had some choice words for the Toronto Blue Jays bench during his start on Aug. 7 after a member of the coaching staff complained about where the pitcher was lined up on the rubber. However, he was left fuming after giving up four earned runs on seven hits in a 5-4 defeat. Wheeler was uncharacteristically wild with five walks in the game, a fact that has become a habit in recent starts. He didn't hold back on his words postgame by criticizing the Blue Jays' sub -.500 record in 2026, per On Pattison's Anthony SanFilippo:
Zack Wheeler on the Blue Jays complaining that he’s not on the rubber when he pitches:
— Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) August 8, 2026
“I'm gonna keep doing what I do. I've been pitching over there forever, and I'm gonna keep doing it. You know, they've lost a lot of games over there, so they're probably trying to pick some…
Things didn’t get better for his next outing in St. Louis, a five-inning appearance allowing four earned runs on six hits in a 7-1 loss to the Cardinals. He had his command in check despite the loss, allowing just two free passes on the evening.
Last night’s loss in Seattle represented another misstep for the Phillies' second starter. After allowing five first-inning runs, the job likely became, "How many innings could Wheeler go before Mattingly turned to the bullpen?" That answer was four innings after 103 pitches and eight earned runs allowed in the Pacific Northwest. He struck out three batters, and he didn’t walk anyone, so that’s a bit of a silver lining from the loss!
Wheeler needs to figure it out quickly
Wheeler is 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA in seven starts since MLB invaded Philly for the 2026 All-Star Game, an event he elected not to participate in. The Phillies are in the middle of a late-summer playoff push despite having their recent nine-game win streak snapped in the loss to Seattle on Monday night.
Those victories pulled the Phillies within 3.5 games of the Atlanta Braves in the National League East Division entering play on Tuesday afternoon, a deficit that swelled to 4.5 after another late-night loss. It has also bought them some much-needed breathing room in the N.L. Wild Card race with a two-game lead over the San Diego Padres, who currently occupy the final playoff position.
Even with an improved offensive output in August, the Phillies' strength this season has been their three-headed rotation behind Cristopher Sanchez, Wheeler, and Luzardo taking on the world, while Nola and a revolving fifth starter created a black hole for the remaining starts. With Andrew Painter finally showing some promise in the final spot in the rotation this month, the last thing the Phillies need is a reliable starter like Wheeler scuffling down the stretch.
His next start is scheduled to be an afternoon clash with the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 30. If Wheeler continues to struggle against non-playoff teams, it might be time to look into giving him a small break to reset him back to where he was before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
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