Aaron Nola Hasn’t Given the Phillies a Reason To Trust Him

Aaron Nola is a very talented pitcher. He is also someone you can never fully trust on the mound. Yesterday was a familiar experience. Aaron Nola cruised through 3 innings. And the bats did their job and gave him a 5-run lead. But then one bad inning chased Nola from the game and blew the big lead. Every pitcher has bad games. But with Nola, it feels like Deja Vu. Many fans immediately flashed back to his performance in the NLCS Game 2, where they gave him a 4-run lead over the Padres, just for him to blow it a few innings later.

Nola had a hell of a season last year. He finished with a 3.25 ERA and 235 strikeouts. And it was Nola who pitched a gem vs the Astros to clinch the playoffs for them. That carried over into his first two outings in the playoffs vs the Cardinals and Braves. But his last 3 playoff performances were nowhere near as pretty. The Padres hit him around. Then he imploded twice vs the Astros.

It puts the Phillies in a tough spot. Nola is a free agent after this season. He is clearly a talented pitcher. But he continually comes up small. It is not even about yesterday. He will probably bounce back from that disaster and have a very good regular season. But unless he shows up in the playoffs, and does not fall apart like last time, how can the Phillies trust him? Especially with the type of money he is apparently asking for.

Zack Wheeler has shown you can trust him in big situations. Ranger Suarez has shown you can trust him in big situations. Has Aaron Nola? There are too many examples of Nola falling apart late in years, or last year in the playoffs. Yesterday's 4th inning collapse could just be a blip on the radar. But stuff like that happens way too much for him. Nola is still a very talented pitcher. But talented does not always mean great. And until he shows that he can be trusted to not implode, it is going to be very hard for the Phillies to trust him with a big contract. Yesterday was a reminder of that.

The Philadelphia Phillies open up their season on Thursday at 4:05pm in Texas against the Rangers, as the most anticipated season in over a decade begins in earnest. It’s a year with great expectations, amazing new talent, a difficult division, and incredible moments just waiting to happen. Ahead of the team taking the field, let’s take a look at the players who are projected to – the official opening day roster has not yet been released – be the ones making those moments a reality in Philly this year.

Realmuto will once again be the starting catcher. BCIB.

Stubbs played a solid backup to Realmuto last season, and is expected to again this year.

Hall will most likely be the main starting 1^st baseman with Rhys Hoskins’ ACL injury.

Stott shifts to 2^nd for the 2023 season with a new addition at shortstop, he’ll start in the middle for the Phils.

The Phillies’ biggest offseason addition, and arguably the best shortstop in baseball, Turner starts his tenure as a mainstay in the middle of the Phils’ infield.

Bohm had an awesome spring, and the Phillies will be looking for their young starting 3^rd baseman to make a big jump this season.

Sosa is a utility player extraordinaire, who could probably start on some MLB teams. For the Phillies, he’ll be the first infielder off the bench and may even see some outfield time.

The wily vet of the infield, Harrison is a defensive specialist who will see a share of innings as either a spot starter or a defensive replacement late in games.

Schwarber will be starting for the Phils again, whether it’s LF or DH. The NL home run champ from last year is looking for another big year.

With a strong offseason behind him, Marsh looks for an improved year as the Phillies’ everyday starter in center.

With Bryce Harper injured, Nick Castellanos will start in RF for the Phils, and he is looking for a bounce back year from a forgetful 2022.

Cave had an outstanding spring training, and earned a spot as an outfield depth piece on this roster. He may also DH with Darick Hall starting at 1B.

Guthrie may not have made this roster without the Rhys Hoskins injury, but the team still has confidence in the young outfielder to be a serviceable defensive backup.

Your opening day starter for the 6^th straight year.

Wheeler is back for hopefully another dominant season.

Walker comes to Philly from the NY Mets via free agency, and is one of the more underrated offseason acquisitions in all of baseball.

With Ranger Suarez’s injury setback, Falter is set to slot into the 4^th spot in the rotation to start the season.

Strahm, who was signed this offseason as a bullpen piece, will be forced into the 5^th starter role due to the Suarez injury. The last time he was a bona fide starter was with the San Diego Padres back in 2019.

Armed with a contract extension, Dominguez has a chance to be the team’s set closer this season.

Soto is probably the other guy in contention for the closer role this season after the Phillies traded for him from the Detroit Tigers.

Also extended this offseason, Alvarado looks to build on an outstanding 2022 campaign.

The long time closer may not close for the Phillies, but he’s still a more than serviceable bullpen arm.

Brogdon is back, and this year he has a mustache. Can’t have a bad year with a mustache.

Bellatti was the breakout bullpen arm of 2022, and has now solidified his roster spot for 2023.

Marte was acquired this offseason from the San Francisco Giants, and he will be pushed into a bullpen role, at least until the starting rotation turns to strength.

Vasquez is unproven, but had a solid spring and showed off some good stuff. He’s the least proven of this year’s staff.