Zack Wheeler’s dominant start wasted as Phillies yank starter early in tight playoff race.
2 sharp innings. The move left Wheeler visibly frustrated on the mound, a rare sight for a pitcher who had just dominated the Pirates’ lineup. Rob Thomson cited pitch count—Wheeler threw 95 pitches—as the primary reason, but the decision underscores the Phillies’ bullpen strain in a tight NL playoff race.
5-game lead in the Wild Card standings, but Thomson’s bullpen usage has become a recurring talking point. The team’s relievers have logged 24 innings over the last five games, the highest workload in baseball during that span. Craig Kimbrel, Gregory Soto, and Seranthony Dominguez combined to close out the win, but the early hook for Wheeler raised eyebrows about Thomson’s willingness to let starters go deep.
Wheeler’s frustration was evident postgame, telling reporters, “I felt like I was cruising out there. 1 innings. The bullpen’s heavy lifting—Dominguez threw 28 pitches in the win—only amplified concerns about durability heading into October.
The Phillies next face the Braves in a four-game set starting Friday, a series that could tighten the Wild Card race further. Thomson’s bullpen management will be under microscope, especially if Wheeler’s frustration lingers into the weekend. Read at MLB News
Wheeler’s early hook exposes the Phillies’ bullpen fatigue and the risks of over-relying on relievers in a playoff push. With the team clinging to a slim Wild Card lead, every wasted inning from a starter compounds the strain on a bullpen that’s already logging heavy workloads. The decision to pull Wheeler—despite his dominance—raises questions about Thomson’s leash and whether the Phillies’ playoff hopes are being jeopardized by bullpen mismanagement.
MLB Newsmlb.comBy Todd ZoleckiJul 2, 3:26 AMen
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