Zack Wheeler becoming an October legend before our very eyes – NBC Sports Philadelphia

PHOENIX — There’s no shortage of ways to describe Zack Wheeler’s dominant postseason performance, but what he accomplished for the Phillies in Game 5 of the NLCS may be the most pivotal moment of his career thus far.

After using the bullpen for 26 outs in Games 3 and 4, resulting in losses, the Phillies needed a strong start from Wheeler. A compromised performance from him would have put the Phillies in a difficult situation, potentially requiring back-to-back wins to avoid elimination.

The Phillies had relievers Craig Kimbrel and Orion Kerkering on rest after throwing heavy pitch counts in previous games. Despite Jose Alvarado being available, the Phillies were hesitant to use him as it would have been his third consecutive appearance and the first time covering two innings.

Wheeler not only delivered a five-inning performance, but he also showcased exceptional command. He lasted seven innings, only giving up a run in his final frame. He struck out eight batters while only allowing one walk. Wheeler entered the game with the fewest baserunners per inning in playoff history, and he maintained that record.

In his ten playoff starts, Wheeler has held opponents to a batting average of .164/.211/.256. Essentially, he has rendered some of baseball’s top hitters ineffective, just like facing a pitcher.

The Phillies relied on Wheeler more than ever in Game 5, and he delivered a 6-1 victory, giving them a 3-2 lead in the NLCS.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto commented on Wheeler’s performance: “You could tell there was a lot of weight on his shoulders today, but every time that happens, he seems to step up for us and pitch well.”

Realmuto continued, “From the first pitch, you could see his determination to attack the strike zone. He was focused all day long, locked in during the pregame routine and pitchers’ meeting. Sometimes, Wheeler seems disengaged in pitchers’ meetings, but this time he was actively involved, strategizing how to approach hitters the second time around. He was engaged.”

Only Bob Gibson matches Wheeler’s playoff ERA, WHIP, and strikeout rate in as many innings pitched. This highlights Wheeler’s exceptional performance and emphasizes how crucial he has been for the Phillies. Wheeler has outperformed Gerrit Cole, who signed for significantly more money in the same offseason. Considering both Wheeler’s production and the timing of his performances, he may be the best pitcher in Major League Baseball at the moment.

Bryce Harper, a teammate of Wheeler’s, expressed his admiration: “I told him after the game, ‘You’re one of the best pitchers I’ve ever played with, man.’ I’ve played with a lot of good ones, and he’s easily top three.”

Harper praises Wheeler’s confidence and fearlessness on the mound. He appreciates the incredible moments he witnesses every time Wheeler takes the field: “That’s why he is here. That’s why he has the opportunity to do this every fifth day. I just love seeing him do it. It’s incredible what he does.”

The NLCS will now shift back to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Monday night and, if necessary, Game 7 on Tuesday. Aaron Nola is slated to start Game 6, with Ranger Suarez in line for Game 7. Suarez was kept in the bullpen on Saturday and would have been utilized if the game had been closer or Wheeler had a shorter outing.

Wheeler’s start was particularly crucial as it lessened the workload on Suarez and prevented the Diamondbacks’ lineup from getting too familiar with a potential repeat encounter.

Realmuto acknowledged the significance of Wheeler’s performance: “With the state of our bullpen and what they went through in the last couple of days, Wheeler took it upon himself to pitch deep into the game. It was important to regain some momentum from the Diamondbacks. They responded strongly after we won two games at home, and now we need to bring our A-game. We hope the crowd can rally behind us and provide additional support.”