Phillies have the edge in NLDS starting pitching over the Braves

A look at the state of the Phillies' rotation heading into the NLDS

Zach Wheeler

Wheeler has been the ace of this staff and the most consistent starter since he joined the Phillies for the 2020 season. Although he wasn’t mentioned at the top of the list for Cy Young candidacy, he was easily one of the top arms in the league this year. He started Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series and pitched 6 2/3 innings while giving up just one run. He had his best stuff and everything in his arsenal was working. If handed the ball, he would be pitching on normal rest in Game 2.

Aaron Nola

Nola has had an up-and-down year but has turned it around over the last few starts. With a 4.46 ERA in the regular season, teams may overlook him, but he has been on one of his patented heaters. Over his last three starts, including Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series, he’s thrown 19 2/3 innings and has given up just three earned runs. He has come up big in the postseason and clinching games the last two years, and he’s ready to rise to the occasion again.

Ranger Suárez

Suárez is often seen as the Phillies "coolest" pitcher. He never seems like he's thrown off his game and is always calm, cool and collected. He started this season on the IL but returned to pitch 22 games. While this year was a roller coaster for him, he had a couple of months where he was downright lights out. On the season, he pitched to a 4.18 ERA, but in the month of June, he had a 1.08 ERA over five starts and a 2.45 ERA over three starts in August. Last postseason, he was used as a Swiss Army knife, coming in for relief appearances and starting.

NEXT: The verdict. Why the Phillies have the edge in the starting rotation match up in the NLDS.