Zack Wheeler is MLB’s best big-game pitcher, but Mets magic proved stronger in Game 1.
In Philadelphia, Wheeler delivered an impressive performance, throwing 111 pitches and completing seven shutout innings with remarkable ease. After two hours on the mound, he showed no signs of fatigue, suggesting that keeping him in the game until he faced real danger could have been the Phillies’ best strategy for winning the opener of the National League Division Series.
However, the moment Wheeler exited, the Mets seized the opportunity, decisively taking Game 1 with a score of 6-2 at Citizens Bank Park.
“Wheeler is nasty,” remarked Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez. “He’s one of the best pitchers in the league, and you could see it. Especially in the shadows early on, it’s like, dude, this guy is throwing airplanes up there. The ball’s taking off every which way. It’s like, good luck.”
Martinez emphasized the necessity of getting Wheeler out of the game. “You just gotta take him out because the way he was throwing the ball today, it was just unhittable.”
In hindsight, the decision to pull him may have been regrettable.
Wheeler struck out nine, walked four, and allowed only one hit in his seven innings. Following his departure, the Mets rallied to achieve their fourth comeback win on the road in just six days, beginning with a thrilling victory in Atlanta that secured their playoff berth. The eighth inning saw a flurry of activity, with six of the first eight Mets batters either singling or walking against three different Phillies relievers. The two that didn’t reach base contributed with sacrifice flies, leading to a five-run inning for New York.
This victory underscored the Mets’ resilience, overcoming a challenging atmosphere in Philadelphia and a bullpen that started with Kodai Senga giving up a home run to lead-off batter Kyle Schwarber.
Despite Wheeler’s stellar performance, the Phillies managed just two hits during his time on the mound, which felt like a missed opportunity. The team had entered the postseason well-rested after clinching the division and enjoying a bye week. They boasted home-field advantage with a raucous crowd of 45,751 behind them, and their ace was throwing fastballs at 99 mph—four ticks above his season average—seeking redemption against the team that let him go in free agency.
The stage seemed set for the Phillies to capitalize, yet the Mets’ victory put them in a precarious position. The Phillies now face the necessity of winning Game 2 at home before heading to Citi Field, where the Mets will have the advantage of their own fans.
“I do believe in momentum,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo stated. “And I believe that, you know, we have confidence right now. We have recent examples of coming back. I believe in the hard work that we’ve done and I believe in the preparation that these guys do each and every day.”
Nimmo continued, “But momentum is a big thing. And having confidence is a big thing. And the guys are showing a lot of that right now.”
The Mets are riding high after securing a win against Wheeler, who has solidified his status as one of baseball’s premier big-game pitchers. His Game 1 performance improved his career postseason ERA to 2.18 over 12 appearances, placing him among the elite postseason starters in recent memory.
Few starting pitchers can be trusted to go deep into a playoff game, saving the bullpen while also maintaining composure under pressure. Wheeler excels in avoiding disastrous innings that could allow opponents to mount comebacks and score multiple runs in crucial moments.
Despite his typically stoic demeanor, Wheeler is a workhorse who has honed his ability to make adjustments as he ages. In his 34th season, he continues to dominate, with a fastball that ranks in the 67th percentile among his peers.
Wheeler concluded the 2024 regular season with a 2.57 ERA, the second-best in the National League behind Chris Sale, after making 32 starts and pitching 200 innings. This marked the sixth time in his ten-year career that he logged at least 180 innings. When asked if this season represented his best chance at winning a Cy Young, Wheeler reflected thoughtfully.
“I guess I could’ve said that about 2021, too, because that was my best season,” he shared with FOX Sports in September. “I was like, man, that was a really good season. That was cool. Maybe that was my best shot at getting it the Cy, and then I had a better year this year. I don’t know. Maybe I can do it again. It’s hard to do, but maybe.”
Though he has yet to capture a Cy Young award, Wheeler has consistently been a contender since joining the Phillies in 2020. Performances like Saturday’s are a major reason the Phillies have been title contenders for three consecutive years.
“Nationally, you’d love him to have it [the Cy Young award]. But from our own perspective, from the city of Philadelphia and the team, he’s regarded that way,” remarked Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. “He’s also pitched in the biggest spotlight, and he has shined.”
“So for him, it’s a situation where he has really established himself as one of the best pitchers, and one of the best big-time pitchers in the game. They’re two different things.”
While Wheeler may not achieve Hall of Fame status due to injuries that plagued the early part of his career, his current performance suggests he belongs in the conversation. Leading the Phillies to a World Series title would serve as a fitting capstone to his career.
The Phillies, now with a 6-6 record in Wheeler’s postseason appearances, must find a way to stop squandering his remarkable outings.
