He just keeps doing it.
If you tuned in to see who pitched for the phillies yesterday, you weren't just watching a standard January outing; you were witnessing a guy who treats the mound like a laboratory. Zack Wheeler took the ball on January 15, 2026, and honestly, it felt like he hadn't missed a beat since the postseason. He went six innings. He looked sharp. He made a very good lineup look sort of lost for about two hours.
The Phillies are in a weird spot right now where every start feels like a statement. It's 2026. The roster is older, the expectations are "World Series or bust," and the pressure on the rotation is immense. Wheeler didn't seem to care about any of that. He just threw strikes. Lots of them.
Why Zack Wheeler Remains the Ace
Wheeler’s performance yesterday was classic Zack. We’re talking about a guy who relies on that high-velocity four-seamer, but it was the sweeper that really did the damage this time. People forget that Wheeler didn't always have this kind of command. Early in his career with the Mets, he was talented but erratic. Now? He’s a surgeon.
He threw 94 pitches. 65 were strikes. That’s a 69% strike rate, which is basically elite territory for a guy throwing as hard as he does.
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What’s interesting about who pitched for the phillies yesterday isn't just the starter, though. It’s how the bridge to the ninth inning is starting to look. Rob Thomson has been playing with the matchups, and yesterday gave us a glimpse into the pecking order for this season. After Wheeler exited in the seventh, the vibe in Citizens Bank Park shifted. It always does when the bullpen gate opens.
The Bullpen Bridge
Jeff Hoffman came in first. He’s become the ultimate "fireman" for this team. Whenever there’s a mess, Thomson calls Hoffman. Yesterday, there wasn't much of a mess to clean up, but he still touched 99 mph on the gun. It’s wild to think he was a waiver wire guy once.
Then came Matt Strahm.
Strahm is the guy nobody talks about enough. He’s the lefty specialist who isn't actually a specialist because he can get righties out just as easily. He threw 12 pitches, got three outs, and walked off like he was heading to buy a gallon of milk. It was that routine.
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The State of the Phillies Rotation in 2026
When you look at who pitched for the phillies yesterday, you have to look at the context of the whole rotation. It’s not just Wheeler. You’ve got Nola, Ranger Suárez, and the younger guys fighting for that fifth spot.
There’s a lot of chatter about whether the Phillies need to trade for another arm. Some fans think Andrew Painter is ready for a full workload, while others are terrified of his injury history. Yesterday's game proved that when the top of the rotation is on, the Phillies can beat anyone. But what happens when Wheeler has an off night? That's the question that keeps Dave Dombrowski up at night. Probably.
- Zack Wheeler: 6 IP, 2 ER, 8 K, 1 BB
- Jeff Hoffman: 1 IP, 0 ER, 2 K
- Matt Strahm: 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 K
- Orion Kerkering: 1 IP, 1 ER (The save)
Kerkering got the save, but it wasn't pretty. He gave up a solo shot to lead off the ninth. He’s got that nasty slider, but if he leaves it hanging like he did yesterday, 2026 is going to be a long year for his ERA. He settled down, though. Got the next three guys. Game over.
What This Means for the Rest of the Week
The Phillies are heading into a tough stretch. Seeing who pitched for the phillies yesterday gives us a roadmap. With Wheeler having gone six full innings, the bullpen is relatively fresh. That’s huge. If a starter gets chased early in the next game, Thomson has the arms available to eat innings without killing his best relievers.
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Honestly, the most impressive part of yesterday wasn't the velocity. It was the sequencing. Wheeler was tunneling his fastball and his sinker so well that hitters were swinging at pitches that ended up six inches out of the zone. It’s a chess match. And Wheeler is playing with a few extra queens on the board.
Misconceptions About the Phillies Pitching Staff
A lot of people think the Phillies are a "power pitching" team only. That’s not really true anymore. While they have guys who can throw gas, the addition of more movement-based pitches—like the sweeper Wheeler has perfected—shows a shift in philosophy. Caleb Cotham, the pitching coach, deserves a lot of credit here. He’s turned a bunch of "throwers" into "pitchers."
The data backs this up. The Phillies' average exit velocity against yesterday was significantly lower than the league average. They aren't just missing bats; they are inducing weak contact. That’s how you survive a 162-game season.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the rotation, keep a close eye on the pitch counts. Wheeler was pulled at 94, which is exactly where you want him this early in the year.
Next Steps for Following the Phillies Pitching:
- Monitor the Velocity: If Wheeler stays sitting at 95-96 mph, his arm is healthy. Any dip below 93 is a red flag.
- Watch the "Kerkering Slider": He needs to locate that pitch in the bottom third of the zone. If it stays up, he’s going to lose the closer role.
- Check the Waiver Wire: The Phillies are always looking for "lottery ticket" relievers. Don't be surprised if a new name pops up in the box score by next week.
- Analyze the Matchups: The Phillies tend to struggle against high-walk teams. Yesterday they stayed aggressive, which worked, but watch how they handle a patient lineup in the upcoming series.
Zack Wheeler set the tone yesterday. Now it’s up to the rest of the staff to see if they can match that intensity. The 2026 season is officially in high gear, and if the pitching holds up like this, October is going to be very loud in South Philly.