Oct 9, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) is pulled from the game during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Phillies have already quietly revealed their Opening Day starting pitcher
So much for the drama and excitement leading up to the big reveal of the Opening Day starting pitcher we look forward to every spring. While there likely wasn’t going to be much drama this year anyway, the Philadelphia Phillies have taken all the fun out of speculating who will take the ball on March 27.
To nobody’s surprise, staff ace Zack Wheeler will throw out the Phillies’ first pitch of the year when they open the 2025 regular season on the road against the NL East rival Washington Nationals. Usually, manager Rob Thomson would make the announcement as spring training winds down, but this year, Wheeler is already listed as the Phillies’ Opening Day starter on MLB.com.
Zack Wheeler already listed as Phillies’ Opening Day starter for second straight year
It’s the 34-year-old’s second straight Opening Day assignment after he ended Aaron Nola’s impressive run of six consecutive Opening Day starts in 2024. Don’t worry, Nola wasn’t upset about the decision at that time, as he even called for Wheeler to take the ball against the Atlanta Braves last year, per MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
Wheeler got the Phillies’ season started off on the right foot last Opening Day, throwing six shutout innings with five strikeouts against the Braves. Unfortunately, after leaving with a 2-0 lead, a bullpen meltdown earned him a no-decision.
The veteran right-hander has more than earned his place at the top of the Phillies’ starting rotation pecking order over the years. In Wheeler’s five seasons in Philadelphia, he’s 59-32 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, throwing a full 32-start workload in three of the four full-length seasons. Last year, he picked up his second All-Star nod and second NL Cy Young runner-up in four seasons. He went 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 200 innings. His 0.955 WHIP led the National League.
Wheeler will be the highest-earning Phillies player this season — his $42 million salary is well above Trea Turner’s $27.27 million AAV — as he begins the three-year, $126 million extension he signed last spring
As for Wheeler’s first opponent this season, the Nationals should be a somewhat improved team from the 2024 squad that went 71-91 and finished 24 games behind the Phillies in the division. He faced them three times last year, posting a 2-0 record with a 2.29 ERA, 23 strikeouts and five walks over 19 2/3 innings.
