Zack Wheeler DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was excellent on the mound during Friday's game against the Miami Marlins. Wheeler gave up a two-run home run to Eric Wagaman, but was basically untouchable outside of that. He tossed seven innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, and recording 13 strikeouts in the win. Wheeler hasn't been like himself lately, but hopefully this outing will help him get back on track. He'll take a 3.73 ERA with 41 strikeouts into his next start against the New York Mets. Fantasy managers have been given a few bad starts from Wheeler, but he remains a must-start in fantasy formats.

Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had another down day on Sunday and ultimately was handed his first loss of the season. Wheeler went six full innings against the Cardinals, allowing seven hits, one walk, and four earned runs in the 89-pitch outing. He recorded just three strikeouts, his lowest game total of the season and his fewest since recording a pair in a four-inning outing on May 12 of last season. Wheeler allowed 11 baserunners and five earned runs in his previous start, against the Braves. Through four starts in the young season, Wheeler is 1-1 with 28 strikeouts, a 4.07 ERA, and 1.07 WHIP. Wheeler should be able to right the ship in his next start. He is slated to face the Marlins at home on April 18.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was excellent on the mound during Wednesday's start against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander had seemingly no issues outside of Hunter Goodman's solo blast in the seventh inning. Wheeler tossed seven innings, allowing three hits, and striking out 10 batters in the 5-1 victory. To be fair, Wheeler did have a favorable matchup against the lowly Rockies lineup. He did what he needed to do and showed why he is the ace of this staff. We'll see if Wheeler has the same amount of success against a much stronger Atlanta Braves lineup in his next start.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced on Monday that right-hander Zack Wheeler will start on Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, against the division-rival Washington Nationals on the road. The decision doesn't come as a surprise, even though the Phillies also have right-hander Aaron Nola, who would be a staff ace for most other teams. The 34-year-old Wheeler is ranked as the No. 3 fantasy starter at RotoBaller, behind only Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, after going 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA (3.13 FIP), league-low 0.95 WHIP, 224 strikeouts and 52 walks in 200 innings over 32 starts in his fifth year in Philadelphia. Wheeler has now racked up 200-plus strikeouts and at least 192 innings pitched in three of the last four years. He'll be one of the best DFS plays at the position on Opening Day as well against the Nats.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said over the weekend that he'd like to split up right-handers Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola in the starting rotation this year and also do the same with left-handers Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo. It could result in an opening-week rotation of Wheeler, Sanchez, Nola, Luzardo and left-hander Ranger Suarez. In addition, right-hander Joe Ross will be built up as a starter in spring training in case an injury pops up. If the Phillies' top five starters are healthy going into Opening Day, Ross will open up in the bullpen in a relief role. Ross had a 1.67 ERA in 27 innings of relief in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Thomson said he'd be comfortable using Ross as a multi-inning reliever or in one-inning stints in more high-leverage roles.