The Phillies may be grinding to secure an NL Wild Card spot and keep the Arizona Diamondbacks at bay, but their October path still looks dangerous. That’s because, even with real questions hanging over the offense and bullpen, Philadelphia can lean on a rotation that belongs in the game’s top tier.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel put the Phillies third among MLB rotations heading into the playoffs, behind only the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers. He listed the group this way: "3.
Philadelphia Phillies. The candidates: Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Andrew Painter," McDaniel writes.
That ranking still holds up despite Jesus Luzardo’s injury. Cristopher Sanchez has been strong enough to enter the Cy Young conversation and could again finish runner-up in the NL for the second straight year. Zack Wheeler has had stretches this season where he looked dominant, and after a rough patch, he has settled back in as one of the better arms in the sport.
Aaron Nola’s recent career resurgence gives Philadelphia another reliable option, and he looks capable of handling a No. 3 role even if Luzardo isn’t available. Andrew Painter remains the wild card in the mix, but he also carries the chance to become a real postseason difference-maker if things click at the right time.
Stack those four together - Sanchez, Wheeler, Nola and Painter - and the Phillies have a rotation that can stand with almost anyone. It may not be the very best in baseball, but it’s elite all the same.
And if Luzardo can still factor in, even after landing on the injured list late in the season, Philadelphia’s starting staff gets even more intimidating. In that scenario, only the Dodgers and Brewers would clearly stack up above them.
If the Phillies end up making a serious World Series push, it likely comes with their rotation carrying the load through October. Even with Luzardo’s injury, that’s the part of the roster that gives them a real chance.
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