Wheeler Shows Elite Form, Leads Phillies to 2-1 Series Opening Victory Over Red Sox

To begin a 3-game set at Fenway Park, the Phillies took a 2-1 victory Tuesday night.

Boston entered this series at the bottom of the American League East, in a similar boat as the Phillies, struggling to start the season and trying to jump-start the roster by firing their manager. The difference between Boston and Philadelphia is that the Phillies’ firing did jump-start the team. For Boston, not so much. Tuesday’s victory gives the Phils a 3-game winning streak and makes them 11-3 in their last 14 games.

Tuesday’s win played similar notes to the song that was sung Sunday afternoon against the Rockies in a 6-0 win, specifically being the elite performance of the Phillies’ ace-like starter. Zack Wheeler got the start against a struggling Red Sox lineup for his 4th start of the season, and in each start, he has gotten better and better. Tuesday’s start was his best to date, and the start that has been most like the Cy Young level that Wheeler has shown in past seasons. He pitched into the 8th inning on Tuesday, dominating throughout the night. He used his four-seam a lot, throwing it 41% of the time, averaging 95 mph. Showing a dominance with his fastball that was a major factor in his being such an elite arm in the past, and shows that he can return to a form of that elite level.

A major reason he was so dominant throughout the night was the fact that he got through batters quickly. Through the first 3 innings of the game, Wheeler had only thrown 16 pitches. It was the lowest pitch count of Wheeler’s career, as well as the lowest in the MLB since 2000. He was working the zone, giving the Red Sox pitches to hit, but effectively making them unable to have success.

Wheeler’s final line on the night was 7.1 innings pitched, allowing 1 run on 6 hits, and striking out 4. His ERA is down to 2.55 on the year.

Wheeler struggled in the 7th, being the only inning he gave up a run in. He was able to limit the damage to that lone run, but then gave up a single to start the 8th. After following that up with a Caleb Durbin flyout, skipper Don Mattingly made the call to the bullpen, bringing in Jose Alvarado. Alvarado looked good and closed the door on the 8th with a strikeout. Jhoan Duran came in to close out the ballgame in the 9th. While he did spike some nerves by allowing 2 runners on, the tying and winning run, Duran was able to close the door and get the save.

The offense did not have a huge night; they only managed 5 hits and 2 runs. However, that limited performance was all they needed, given how successful Wheeler was. Kyle Schwarber got the scoring started in the 1st with a solo blast into the bullpen in right field. That homer gave Schwarber a franchise-tying 5 consecutive games with a home run. The offense tacked on a second run in the 2nd with Brandon Marsh leading off the inning with a single, extending his hitting streak to a league-leading 13 games. J.T. Realmuto moved Marsh over to second on a groundout, and Bryson Stott collected the first of his two hits on the night with an RBI ground rule double to score Marsh. That second run was all the Phillies needed with the dominance of Wheeler.

The Phillies look to continue their hot streak Wednesday night at 6:45 PM ET as Andrew Painter (RHP, 1-4, 6.89 ERA) faces Sonny Gray (RHP, 3-1, 3.54 ERA).

Christopher DeMaio

Christopher is a Delaware County Native and a graduate of Devon Preparatory School, class of 2025. He is currently attending University and is in his second semester. Chris, growing up playing since the age of 4, fell in love with his hometown Phillies and continues that love with listening to sports radio, reading articles, writing for Philly Sports Reports’ Phillies team, and, of course, watching the Phils.

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