The Dodgers are looking to be the first team to defeat Zack Wheeler in 2026. Wheeler has guided the Phillies to victories in all six of his starts this season.
Wheeler’s Dominance Fuels Phillies’ Turnaround
Wheeler has been a key factor in the Phillies’ turnaround after an atrocious start to the season. He is winning the current round of a battle against Father Time. Wheeler has been one of the more dominant starters in the National League since his return to a big league mound in late April.
The Phillies have been unbeatable in Wheeler’s starts due to his level of dominance.
Dodgers Face the Challenge
Los Angeles will try to accomplish what each of the previous six failed to do, which is to beat the Phillies, who are 6-0 in Wheeler starts. The Dodgers will be the seventh team to go up against Wheeler this season, and evidently the best he has faced.
Wrobleski’s Edge Against Top-Heavy Phillies
Justin Wrobleski might not have been the first pick for such a lofty task, but the southpaw carries an edge in this particular matchup. The Phillies offense is redefining the meaning of “top-heavy,” with two-thirds of their lineup carrying an OPS of .656 or lower. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Brandon Marsh have carried this offense, all three of them lefties. Now, Harper and Schwarber are scary hitters regardless of who they’re facing, but you’d still prefer a lefty there.
Philly enters play relying primarily on their pitching to carry this team. This lack of anything even remotely resembling a bit of depth is why Philly enters play with the fifth-worst team wRC+ in the sport.