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3 takeaways from the Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 win over the Nationals

By David Esser

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies fist bumps J.T. Realmuto #10 after being taken out of the game in the top of the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on September 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies fist bumps J.T. Realmuto #10 after being taken out of the game in the top of the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on September 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Nationals 3-0. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 02: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on September 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 02: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on September 2, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Nola and Wheeler are an elite one-two punch.

As of right now, the Philadelphia Phillies are the only team in the National League with two starting pitchers in the top 9 for NL ERA. Zack Wheeler now sits at an absurdly low 2.20 ERA, and Aaron Nola is right behind him at 2.45. Both have been electric this season, and Wednesday night against the Nats was no exception.

The night prior Nola went 8.0 shutout innings, and Wheeler came in the very next day with 6.2 more scoreless innings. The two combined for 15 strikeouts through their two starts, and both starts resulted in shutout victories for the Phillies.

As of right now, there really might not be a better one-two pitching punch in all of baseball at the moment. Nola and Wheeler have seemingly fed off each other’s brilliance, and it’s a major reason the Phillies now sit in a playoff spot just over halfway through the season.

Nola and Wheeler have now combined for eight total team wins, and both sit in the top ten for NL WHIP as well. Nola also ranks third in the NL in both total strikeouts and opponent batting average.

Wheeler was a calming presence on the mound during Wednesday’s win, keeping guys like Juan Soto and Trea Turner in check just long enough for the bullpen to come in and close things out.

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