Philadelphia Phillies Unveil Unexpected Choice for Opening Day Pitcher.

The Philadelphia Phillies surprised fans on Sunday with an unexpected announcement regarding their plans for Opening Day. Despite Aaron Nola, a seasoned veteran in his tenth MLB season with the Phillies, being widely anticipated to take the mound against the Atlanta Braves, the team opted for Zack Wheeler for the first time. Nola, who has secured six Opening Day starts for the Phillies, a notable achievement in franchise history, seemingly endorsed Wheeler’s selection in a recent interview with MLB.com. Nola expressed his belief that Wheeler had earned the opportunity, citing personal circumstances such as the imminent arrival of his child. Wheeler, entering his age-34 season, garnered attention two years prior with an All-Star performance that positioned him as the runner-up in Cy Young voting. Despite a slightly higher ERA in the previous season, Wheeler has consistently demonstrated high-level performance over the years. The Phillies’ decision to designate Wheeler as the ace aligns with their recent record-breaking three-year contract extension worth $126 million, the highest annual salary in baseball history. This significant investment underscores Wheeler’s importance to the team, particularly given his stellar regular and postseason performances. In his initial four seasons with the Phillies, Wheeler has started 101 games, amassing a 43-25 record and an impressive 3.06 ERA. Furthermore, his postseason track record boasts a commendable 2.42 ERA across 11 games, accompanied by 68 strikeouts.