Wheeler has been nearly unhittable over his career at Truist Park, pitching to a 1.87 ERA over five starts. He's walked just four while collecting 39 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings.
Interestingly, Wheeler grew up just 10 miles from Truist Park.
"It's awesome," Wheeler said. "You know, coming back here every year is awesome, but especially during the playoffs, big moments, and a lot of people come out and watch. So it's definitely going to be fun to pitch here in front of friends and family, and hopefully we get a win."
Wheeler was outstanding in his last start for the Phils, tossing a stellar 6 2/3 innings against Miami while surrendering one run in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. He whiffed eight, walked none, and enters the NLDS with a career 2.55 ERA over seven postseason starts.
“It's always important to win Game 1, but I think Game 2 is pretty important, too,”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “It's kind of a swing game, and you can't let up at all against this ballclub, because they're good and they can attack, and they can do a lot of good things. So we’ve got to stay nose to the grindstone.”
The Braves counter in Game 2 with a star of their own in Max Fried.
The left-hander battled a blister on his left index finger over the final two weeks of the season and wore a bandage on the finger during workouts last week, but he's believed to be working at full strength.
The 29-year-old was 8-1 during the regular season with a 2.55 ERA over 14 starts. He last faced the Phillies on September 12, surrendering one run over five innings in a no-decision.
Outstanding Starts
Through the first three games of the 2023 postseason, Phillies pitching has allowed only two earned runs n 27 nnings. Per Elias, the Phillies are only the 8th team in MLB history to allow two runs or fewer through the first three games of any single postseason.
Did You Know?
In the current 2-2-1 format of the Division Series, the clubs that have taken Game 1 on the road have advanced to the next round 71 percent of the time.
Phillies Lineup
Schwarber DH
Turner 6
Bohm 5
Harper 3
Realmuto 2
Castellanos 9
Stott 4
Pache 7
Rojas 8
Wheeler RHP
