PHILADELPHIA -- A year ago, Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler talked about his chances to start for the National League in the All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, a short drive from where he grew up.
Wheeler won’t start this year’s All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, but it would be a remarkable story if he made the team.
Wheeler, 36, will start against Pirates ace Paul Skenes on Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park (6:40 p.m. ET). He missed the end of last season because of a blood clot near his right shoulder that required thoracic outlet surgery. Wheeler missed the first month of the season, making his debut on April 25 against the Braves in Atlanta.
It snapped the Phillies’ 10-game losing streak.
He allowed two runs in five innings that night.
He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since.
Wheeler is 8-1 with a 2.03 ERA in 12 starts. He does not have enough innings to qualify, but he ranks fourth in MLB in ERA among pitchers with 75 or more innings. Only Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski (1.45 ERA), Shohei Ohtani (1.58 ERA) and teammate Cristopher Sánchez (2.00 ERA) are better.