Phillies Can Thrive Without Zack Wheeler: Lessons from Carson Wentz

The Philadelphia Phillies just got some brutal news: ace pitcher Zack Wheeler has a blood clot near his shoulder. He’ll probably miss the rest of the season. Wheeler’s been a franchise cornerstone since 2020 and, honestly, one of the best pitchers in baseball. Still, if you remember the 2017 Eagles losing Carson Wentz and winning the Super Bowl anyway, you know Philly teams don’t give up easy. This Phillies squad still thinks it can chase a championship.

Zack Wheeler’s Impact and the Challenge Ahead

Since he put on the red pinstripes, Zack Wheeler has been the heart of the Phillies’ rotation. He’s put up elite numbers and come through in the biggest moments. Fans already talk about him as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. Losing him now, with the playoffs looming, hurts—on the stat sheet and in the clubhouse.

The Phillies have been here before, though. Injuries have hit stars like Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, and plenty of pitchers, but the team keeps rolling. They’re 18 games over .500 and up five in the NL East. That kind of depth is tough to find.

A Reliable Rotation Without Wheeler

Even minus their ace, the Phillies’ pitching staff is still solid. Their rotation ERA sits near the top of the league. That’s thanks to steady arms and a surprisingly deep bench of options. Aaron Nola has stepped up, coming off the injured list to devour innings. He’s been one of the most durable starters in baseball since 2017. Now, he’s the guy they’ll lean on to lead the rotation.

Having Nola and a few complementary arms gives the Phillies a real shot to hang in there, even with Wheeler sidelined.

Resilience in the Face of Playoff Uncertainty

Philly’s recent playoff runs prove that talent alone isn’t enough in October. The offense can go cold, the bullpen can falter, and the heartbreaks have piled up. But let’s be honest—the rest of the league isn’t exactly cruising, either.

Rivals Struggling to Find Their Footing

Teams like the Dodgers, Cubs, and Mets are all dealing with their own issues. Injuries, slumps, you name it. This keeps the Phillies right in the World Series mix, even without their ace.

Reinforcements Are on the Way

Wheeler’s absence stings, but help’s coming. The newly acquired Jhoan Duran has looked electric in high-leverage spots. José Alvarado is almost back, giving the bullpen another late-inning weapon.

Prospects and Offensive Power

Pitching prospect Andrew Painter could get the call soon, and he might give the team a much-needed boost. On offense, Kyle Schwarber is tied for the league lead in home runs. He’s been a steady force at the top of the lineup. Add in Harper’s playoff experience and bats like JT Realmuto, Brandon Marsh, Bohm, and Nick Castellanos, and you’ve got a lineup that can do damage in October.

Echoes of the 2017 Eagles

The city of Philadelphia has seen this storyline before.

Back in 2017, the Eagles lost MVP candidate Carson Wentz late in the year. Somehow, they rallied behind backup Nick Foles and clinched the franchise’s first Super Bowl title.

That team had a wild mix of depth, leadership, and unshakable belief. The Phillies have some of that same energy right now.

Wheeler’s injury? Yeah, it stings—a lot. But it’s not the end of the story, not by a long shot.

If the Phillies dig deep, get sparks from their returning players, and heat up at just the right moment, who knows? Maybe they’ll be the ones hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy in November.

For now, fans can hang onto the fact that this club won’t go down easy. They’ll fight, because that’s what Philly does.

—

If you’d like, I can also create a **click-worthy meta description** for this blog post to help maximize search engine traffic. Would you like me to do that next?
 
Here is the source article for this story: Ask Carson Wentz and the 2017 Eagles: The Phillies have hope even without Zack Wheeler