Much of the news around the Philadelphia Phillies as of late has been injury related. Zack Wheeler was shut down for the season on August 23. Just before Monday night's season opener against the New York Mets, two more stars were sent to the injured list - Alec Bohm and Trea Turner.
Despite their current status, both are expected to return this season. Their stature, however, is not easily replaced. But as Harrison Bader told me prior to the game - the game doesn't care, and neither does your opponent. The season keeps going, and the Mets were in town looking to get back some of the ground they lost since sweeping the Phillies at Citi Field just a week and a half ago.
Questions about Aaron Nola's status have run rampant, as well. Is he still dealing with any physical issues? Will he be on the postseason roster? With 19 games left to figure things out, the veteran right-hander turned in one of his two or three best outings of the season.
Philly's offense did just enough (literally) despite getting more base runners on against Mets starter, Nolan McLean, than anyone else. Good plays, intense moments, and the club saw what they needed to from their starting pitcher. Here's notes and quotes from Monday night's action.
Aaron Nola gives Phillies a much-needed gem
Nola pitched lights out tonight, turning in possibly his best start of the season. He went six scoreless, allowing three hits and two walks, striking out seven Mets hitters in the process. Here's a few interesting items from Nola's big game:
Only his 2nd scoreless outing of the season
His 3 H and 2 BB are tied for the second-least number of runners he's allowed in a start this year
Just the third time this season he didn't throw a single fastball down the heart of the plate
Manager Rob Thomson spoke about Nola's impressive outing after the game:
"He just threw so well tonight. I mean, he kept the ball down, he was attacking the zone a lot more, a lot of changeups - a lot more changeups than he's been throwing in the past. The curveball was sharp. I thought he was really good."
I asked Rob Thomson if the increase in the change was because of a game plan against the Mets. He noted that while it was there a little, it was more a decision from catcher J.T. Realmuto and Nola after their bullpen. He threw that pitch 21 times tonight - the same amount as his curveball, which typically leads the way in usage for him.
Further, he threw his fastball most, his sinker second-most, and all but abandoned his cutter, continuing a trend over the last four starts where he's thrown the cutter seven total times. The usage and pitch mix may vary depending on scouting reports, but if he locates his fastball the way he did tonight, everything works better.
Thomson later added that it was huge that he was able to give them six because they were a bit short in the bullpen tonight. He noted that his pitcher "came out with a lot of confidence," and it showed all night. He didn't throw a single four seamer down the heart of the plate (middle-middle).
A much needed strong outing - for his playoff positioning, for fans wondering what's happening to the once daunting pitching staff, and most importantly for himself and his confidence.
Jhoan Duran escapes a jam
Another game against the Mets, and another nail bitter. Jhoan Duran came in to close things out for the Phillies and started his outing like he does many times - his hard splitter. Pete Alonso was ready for it, driving it through the infield for a single. Nimmo fouled a split off before lining out, and Mark Vientos attacked the first pitch he saw - also a splitter - for a double. Men on second and third, one out. No Mets hitter saw a splitter the rest of the evening.
Thomson was asked about the pitch mix, and if abandoning his favorite pitch was part of the plan against this New York squad.
"I think you have to keep people off balance and the splitters 98, fastball's 102. You gotta, you change speeds a little bit just to make them think a little bit, so they can't sit hard all the time."
Duran threw the pitch 21.4 percent (3 of 14) tonight, well below his season average of 40 percent, but he didn't need it to escape the jam. Nola and he both tried something different tonight, but they located when they needed to and earned the Phillies the 1-0 victory.
Philly gutted out a win on a day filled with bad news. As Harrison Bader told me - the game doesn't care. Three more against the Mets start tomorrow.
