CLEARWATER — The Opening Day starting pitching matchup for Phillies-Washington Nationals in D.C. is set.
Rob Thomson announced Monday that Zack Wheeler will get the ball for the Phillies to begin the season at Nationals Park on March 27. It marks the second the second consecutive Opening Day start for Wheeler, who is coming off of the second runner-up finish in NL Cy Young Award voting in his career.
"He's one of the best pitchers in baseball and the combination of power, command and pitchability — that's why he's so great," Thomson said.
It had been assumed all spring that Wheeler would indeed toe the rubber for Opening Day, but this is the first time it's been announced. Wheeler got the ball last year in the first game of the season, snapping a streak of six consecutive Opening Day starts for Aaron Nola.
"He's a stud. He's our guy. I'll say it again and again, I think he's the best in the league," Nola said of Wheeler Monday. "I've been around him for all these years and he goes out there and pitches with that velocity and command and that's what makes him great. He's a competitor on the mound and we love seeing him out there."
Wheeler pitched six shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves last year on Opening Day, but the bullpen melted down behind him in an eventual 9-3 loss.
Meanwhile, the Nationals will counter with MacKenzie Gore, Washington skipper Dave Martinez announced Sunday. Gore — one of the key pieces the Nats got in the Juan Soto trade with the San Diego Padres back in the summer of 2022 — went 10-12 with a 3.90 ERA across 166 1/3 innings a year ago. This will be the first career Opening Day start for Gore.
Gore is a lefty, but left-handed hitters actually hit .282 with an .834 OPS against him a year ago, as opposed to .257 with a .704 OPS from righties. The reverse splits could help the Phillies, who figure to have five left-handed hitters — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh — in their Opening Day lineup.
Who will lead off for the Phillies against Gore and the Nationals at 4:05 ET on Opening Day? Check out On Pattison's latest Opening Day lineup projection to find out.
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