PHILADELPHIA -- Zack Wheeler is eager to finally take down some innings in Friday night's series opener against the Blue Jays.
The right-hander will take the mound at Citizens Bank Park coming off back-to-back abbreviated outings -- one of his own doing and the other not so much.
Wheeler lasted only three innings on July 27 in Miami, where he allowed a season-high five runs in just three innings. Most concerning, though, was the fact that his four-seam fastball averaged only 93.5 mph -- down 1.7 mph from his season average. It was the second-lowest four-seam average in any start of his career.
Wheeler, however, quickly put any worries to rest on Sunday in Baltimore. He came out throwing like his usual self and breezed through two scoreless innings before the skies opened up. A lengthy rain delay ultimately ended his day after only two innings, meaning Wheeler has logged only five innings over his past two outings.
"I felt good," Wheeler said after his brief outing against the O's. "I felt better than the other day."
Now, the Phillies' co-ace will be looking to fully get back to normal against the Blue Jays.
Not only does Wheeler pride himself on pitching deep every time he takes the mound, but the two shorter outings have delayed his bid to join the ranks of qualified pitchers. In order to be considered for statistical leaderboards, pitchers need to average one inning for every team game played.
Friday night marks game No. 117 for the Phillies. Wheeler has pitched 105 innings. He still has a good chance to ultimately surpass the 162-inning threshold, but it's not as certain as it seemed prior to these last two starts.
If Wheeler averages six innings per outing and starts every fifth game the rest of the way, he'd be in line to start the final game of the regular season -- and he'd be sitting at 159 innings when he does.
Of course, we've seen just how quickly that can all change.