The MLB playoffs in Philadelphia are just a little bit different than in other cities, and the Philadelphia Phillies have their fans to thank for that. With the Los Angeles Dodgers in town for the two teams' sixth playoff meeting, the fans at Citizens Bank Park proved how different they are before Game 1 of the NLDS even started.
As player introductions were happening on the field ahead of the 6:38 p.m. ET first pitch, staff ace Zack Wheeler was announced as one of the Phillies reserves and made his way to the first base line, where his teammates were waiting, to thunderous ovation.
Phillies fans showed Zack Wheeler all the love before Game 1 of the NLDS
Wheeler, as every Phillies fan knows, has been out since mid-August, when he hit the injured list with a blood clot near his right shoulder. A diagnosis of venous thoracic outlet syndrome and subsequent surgery ended his 2025 season. It was a devastating loss, both on the field and emotionally, for the Phillies and the fan base.
Zack Wheeler was part of the pregame player introductions and took his place with his teammates on the first base line pic.twitter.com/As8k9TpznV
— Lochlahn March (@lochlahn) October 4, 2025
With the Phillies and Dodgers locking horns in what will be a heavyweight tilt for the ages in the Divisional Series any extra edge is important. The extra emotional boost from seeing the beloved Wheeler at The Bank as part of the pregame player introduction could be a factor for the home crowd and help the Phillies on the field.
Wheeler finished his shortened season 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA with 195 strikeouts over 149 2/3 innings in 24 starts. Despite the fact that Wheeler has been away from the team for much of the second half, he made his presence felt in more ways than one ahead of the NLDS. He joined his teammates during their bye week and spoke to Cristopher Sánchez, who took up the mantle of staff ace in Wheeler's absence.
“He [Wheeler] was here yesterday, actually, and we talked about a lot of things," Sánchez said during Friday's media availability, per NBC Sports' John Clark. "He was really excited. He shared that he was excited for myself and for everything that's been going on with my career recently. But aside from that, we talked about a lot of things. He asked me if I was ready. I said, of course I am. And as far as myself, I have to go out there and compete, keep the best of myself while I'm on the mound.”
Phillies Ace Zack Wheeler was at CBP visiting with his teammates before the NLDS
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) October 3, 2025
“He was here yesterday, actually, and we talked about a lot of things. He was really excited. He shared that he was excited for myself and for everything that's been going on with my career… pic.twitter.com/A3DjyDVrer
It's anyone's guess how the NLDS between the Phillies and Dodgers will play out, but having Wheeler there can't hurt the home team.