Here’s how the Phillies can survive down the stretch without Zack Wheeler

The Phillies’ 2-0 loss to the Nationals on Saturday was frustrating enough on its own but within minutes of the final out, all of that became background noise.

Dombrowski dropped a bombshell, announcing that Zack Wheeler is headed to the IL with a blood clot near his right shoulder. If you’re a Phillies fan, your stomach probably sank just reading that.

It’s no surprise that Zack Wheeler is the backbone of the entire Phillies’ rotation and has been since 2020. He’s been a durable workhorse and a dominant postseason assassin. Losing him even just for a couple weeks is a nightmare scenario that the Phillies will now have to navigate.

More on Zack Wheeler Here:

• Zack Wheeler to IL with blood clot, return uncertain

• Zack Wheeler’s blood clot puts Phillies in scary spot down the stretch

The team insists the blood clot isn’t related to the shoulder discomfort Wheeler’s been battling for weeks. Still, there’s no timeline, no guarantee he pitches again in 2025, and no way to downplay what this means for a rotation that was built around being untouchable.

Cristopher Sánchez: The New Ace

The good news is that Cristopher Sánchez has pitched like a Cy Young candidate all year. With Wheeler fading, Sánchez has quietly been the Phillies’ most reliable starter, leading the NL alongside Paul Skenes. His ERA, FIP, and WAR all back it up. This isn’t smoke and mirrors. Sánchez can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

The bad news is that Sanchez obviously can’t carry a rotation alone. Now the pressure ratchets up, because every start he makes in September and October will feel like a must-win.

Aaron Nola: From Luxury to Necessity

Enter Aaron Nola, who just came off the 60-day IL. A month ago, the Phillies could afford to think of Nola as a luxury piece. Now, he’s essential. Forget being Wheeler 2.0. Nola just needs to be steady. Quality starts, not disasters. If he can stabilize, the Phillies can survive. If his velocity dips and the home runs return, this whole thing caves in fast.

Unfortunately, we didn’t see that on Sunday, yet the Phillies rallied to win in D.C. anyways. Nola’s return wasn’t as smooth. Making his first big league start since May 14, he breezed through the order early, then completely unraveled.

Seven of the next eight Nationals reached base, and Nola was out after 2 1/3 innings, charged with six runs. Not exactly what you want heading into the stretch run.

Alec Bohm returns and goes yard, Phillies out-slug Nationals to split the series

Andrew Painter: The Wild Card

You’d have to think that the Andrew Painter timeline just accelerated. The 22-year-old has struggled in Triple-A since returning from Tommy John, but with Wheeler down, you can’t rule out a debut this year. Is he ready? Probably not. Could the Phillies force the issue if another injury hits? Absolutely. If Wheeler can’t go in October, maybe the club wants a sneak peek anyway.

The Bullpen Fallout

It’s not just the rotation. Wheeler’s absence could shuffle the bullpen deck too. With José Alvarado ineligible for the postseason after his PED suspension, the assumption was Suárez or Luzardo would shift to a high-leverage relief role.

If Nola isn’t steady, both might have to stay in the rotation. That opens the door for Tanner Banks, who’s been nails in 2025, to become a playoff X-factor.

The Reality Check

There’s no sugarcoating it. Losing Wheeler might be the worst thing that could happen to the Phillies. He’s been the single best postseason pitcher in baseball over the last five years. You don’t just “replace” that.

This really isn’t about replacing Zack Wheeler. It’s about surviving until he’s back, if he’s back. Sánchez has to pitch like the Cy Young front-runner he is.

Nola has to steady himself. The Phillies have to bank on consistency from Luzardo and Ranger Suarez. Taijuan Walker needs to continue to have quality starts down the stretch and Painter has to be an option, again.

It’s a lot of “ifs,” and that’s the part that makes you nervous. The Phillies built their identity on overwhelming pitching. Now they’ll have to find out if the rest of the staff can wear that crown without their king.

Join The Chase