Phillies

Zack Wheeler Named Phillies Opening Day Starter

By Luke Arcaini

Published: Mar 18th, 2025 · 9:32 AM EDT

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The grass is green, the sky is blue, and Zack Wheeler will start on Opening Day for the Phillies in a little more than a week.

We basically knew this already, as Zack Wheeler was listed on MLB.com as the Phillies starter for Game 1 vs. the Nationals on March 27th for a few weeks now.

But Rob Thomson confirmed Wheeler on Monday:

We’re rollin’ with Wheels on Opening Day pic.twitter.com/yILKNV2McT

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 17, 2025

This will now be the 2nd-straight Opening Day that Zack Wheeler will start for the Phillies. Last year was his first. Aaron Nola had a six-year streak from 2018 to 2023, but Nola was completely open to giving it up for Wheeler last year. Nola talked about it and handled it like we all expected him to, like a pro. From Todd Zolecki at MLB.com:

“He’s a stud, man. His track record shows it. I’ll say it again, I think he’s the best in the league.”

Wheeler is heading into his 6th full season with the Phillies, and it seems like he’s still somehow getting better the older he gets. He finished 2nd in the Cy Young race last year after a 2.57 ERA across 200 innings, striking out 224 batters and logging an ERA+ of 158.

MacKenzie Gore will get the ball for the Nationals on Opening Day. Gore faced the Phillies four times last season. He totaled 23.2 innings, allowing 20 hits and 9 earned runs. It’s the first Opening Day start of his career.

Assuming Mackenzie Gore starts for the Nationals on Opening Day, it’ll be a favorable matchup for the Phillies on March 27th:

Bohm: .294 (5 for 17, 1 HR)
Castellanos: .350 (7 for 20, 2 HRs)
Harper: .261 (6 for 23)
Turner: .353 (6 for 17)
Realmuto: .250 (5 for 20)

— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) February 13, 2025