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5 way-too-early Phillies All-Star predictions

It's never too soon to start looking at who might represent the Phillies at the Midsummer Classic.

By Michael Sadowsky

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suárez is an early lock for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suárez is an early lock for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game / Jeff Dean/GettyImages
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Zack Wheeler

This is an easy one. Zack Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball for quite a while. This year he looks to be on top of that mountain as the best of the best. He has been lights out through eight starts so far.

He has a 1.64 ERA, which is third-best in the National League. His 0.89 WHIP ranks fifth. His 63 strikeouts and 1.8 fWAR are tops in the MLB. He has accumulated four wins, good for sixth in the NL. He should have more wins but was the victim of poor run support early on in the season.

Thanks to his new splitter, Wheeler also has a career-best 11.49 K/9, the second-highest mark in the NL, and 30.9 percent CSW% (called plus swinging strike rate).

Even when he doesn’t have his best stuff, the 33-year-old is able to battle through and give the Phillies the absolutely best shot at winning. He leads the NL with six quality starts so far, with a seven-inning, 11-strikeout effort against the San Francisco Giants last time out. He has shown the entire league that he is ready to take the crown as the best pitcher in the league.

Wheeler has made just one All-Star Game back in 2021 and will most definitely be on the shortlist for this year’s festivities. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him handed the ball as the National League starter.

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