May 23, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) walks back towards the dugout after the fourth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images Zack Wheeler is enjoying another stellar season, although his worst start of the campaign came last month against the Atlanta Braves.
Wheeler gets another shot at the Braves on Wednesday when the Phillies’ ace takes the ball in the middle contest of a three-game set in Philadelphia.
Wheeler (6-1, 2.42 ERA) enters this matchup with a streak of 22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, having not allowed a run in any of his past three starts. He blanked the Athletics over 6 2/3 innings last Friday in winning his fourth consecutive start.
The recent string of zeros has been a welcome sight for Wheeler, who gave up a season-high five runs in a season-low 5 1/3 innings on April 8 in a 7-5 loss to the Braves. The veteran right-hander took a no-decision in that contest but still was visibly displeased afterward.
“I was mad at myself for not bearing down because you take pride in that type of stuff,” Wheeler said after that contest. “Not being able to bear down and get out of that inning unscathed, that made me mad.”
Wheeler is 13-8 with a 3.10 ERA in his career against the Braves.
He’ll be opposed in this matchup by AJ Smith-Shawver (3-2, 3.67), who is looking to rebound from his worst start of 2025.
The right-hander allowed seven runs in three innings against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. Previously, he had given up just one earned run in 19 2/3 innings in his first three starts this month.
Smith-Shawver has yet to face the Phillies in the regular season.
He may not have to contend with Bryce Harper, as the star first baseman was drilled in the right elbow by Spencer Strider in Tuesday’s series opener. X-rays were negative on Harper, who was diagnosed with a contusion.
“He’s one of the best players this century and he needs to be on the field. It’s best for the game and it’s good for us (to have him out there),” Strider said. “It’s good to compete against him.”
As for whether Harper would be available Wednesday, Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said, “We’ll have to evaluate in the morning.”
Ranger Suarez pitched six scoreless innings for the Phillies in Tuesday’s contest, a 2-0 Philadelphia win. Max Kepler drove in a run in the second inning and Philadelphia added an insurance run in the eighth en route to its 10th win in 11 games.
Strider didn’t make it out of the fifth inning for Atlanta, which has dropped five of its past six games. The Braves managed only five hits — the same total as the Phillies — as pitching dominated in front of a frenzied crowd at Citizens Bank Park.
“This place was buzzing,” Kepler said. “I loved it. I hope they come out tomorrow and show the same energy.”
Philadelphia and Atlanta have split their four meetings so far this season. The Phillies, who have the best record in baseball, lead the New York Mets by 1 1/2 games in the National League East, and they sit 9 1/2 games in front of the Braves.
–Field Level Media
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