Philadelphia Phillies: 5 bold predictions for the 2022 MLB season
By Tim Boyle
Bold Philadelphia Phillies prediction: The old Aaron Nola returns.
There is a lot of pressure on Aaron Nola this year. He needs to be an anchor in the rotation. With Zack Wheeler’s questionable health to begin the year, it’s even more important for the old Nola to come back again.
Last season was rough for Nola. It was his worst complete season and second-highest ERA since debuting in 2015. However, he did manage to make 32 starts and log 180.2 innings. It counts for something.
Nola’s inconsistency has taken away some confidence in him. After his terrific 2018 campaign where he finished third in the Cy Young, he hasn’t been the same level of ace—or has he?
Nola was a quality workhorse in 2019 despite the inflated ERA up to 3.87. He faced more batters than any other pitcher in the National League. He returned in 2020 with a much better year and a seventh-place finish in the Cy Young. Those who think he has fallen off completely are wrong. He is still good. Last season just wasn’t.
The old version of Nola is closer to his career average of going 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA. The Phillies will hope for better than that. I’m going to predict they get it. This year, Nola goes 12-8 with a 3.31 ERA. Specific enough?