Zack Wheeler showed what dominance looks like once again on Friday night. In his latest outing, he was nothing short of impeccable, racking up 13 strikeouts and not giving away a single walk over seven innings.
That's Wheeler for you—always capable of delivering a masterclass on the mound when it matters. With this performance, he led the Phillies to a straightforward 7-2 victory over the Marlins to kick off the series.
Wheeler's 13-strikeout performance was just one short of his personal best and his most impressive since May 29, 2021, during his early days with the Phillies. Following a stellar performance by Cristopher Sánchez, who notched up 24 whiffs the night prior against the Giants, Wheeler generated 20 swings and misses in this game. This was thanks to his aggressive approach in the strike zone, especially once the Phillies built an early lead.
The offense took off quickly, starting with Bryce Harper, who’s been in scorching form. He showcased his power by sending a 0-2 pitch from Sandy Alcantara into the second deck for his third homer in four games.
[Bryce is on fire!!
pic.twitter.com/f7lwPNLilU
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) April 18, 2025]
The team put on a hitting clinic in the second inning. A simple walk followed by three consecutive singles turned into two runs, which were further boosted by a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch, extending the lead to 6-0.
[Bohmer is heating up
pic.twitter.com/sJkaRSd3UP
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) April 18, 2025]
And then came the fireworks in the fifth inning, courtesy of Kyle Schwarber. Despite falling behind in the count, he sent a sweeper from Anthony Veneziano to a part of Citizens Bank Park that only few manage to reach consistently.
[Schwarbomb No. 7!
pic.twitter.com/utldNoWmqn
— Phillies Nation (@PhilliesNation) April 19, 2025]
This marked Schwarber's fourth homer against lefties this season, to go with three against right-handers in over 20 more plate appearances, and he’s been a model of consistency, reaching base in all 20 games so far.
The Phillies kept their own strikeouts low, mirroring a trend from the previous night, and Wheeler’s 13 strikeouts were a key part of 16 punched out Marlins altogether. Wheeler's brilliance gave the Phillies' bullpen some much-needed rest, save for an appearance by Tanner Banks and José Ruiz, each taking an inning and maintaining the lead without much drama. With this victory, the Phillies now stand at 12-8, looking strong as the season unfolds.
