The Philadelphia Phillies’ hard-fought 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves to level the Wild Card Series came undone in Game 3. A single decision by interim manager Don Mattingly has drawn more scrutiny than others.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
With the NLDS at stake, Mattingly decided to start Aaron Nola instead of ace Zack Wheeler in the series finale before Wheeler took over. However, that plan completely backfired as the Phillies’ postseason campaign ended with a 6-2 loss. Meanwhile, analysts are scratching their heads, confused, trying to decode Mattingly’s decision.
“It’s one of those things that they’re going to second-guess from here on out… This is a guy that if you were going to throw him, why not start him right off the bat? God, that’s going to be a thing that Don Mattingly really has to think about,” said Todd Frazier, an analyst and a former MLB player, on Foul Territory.
“But Zach Wheeler, why didn’t he start the game? He’s the guy. He needed him there.”
Wheeler started the regular-season finale on Sunday, so Thursday’s start would have come on three days’ rest. Perhaps Mattingly did not want him to start on a short rest. But that argument ultimately proves futile.
Wheeler ended up throwing 4 innings after Aaron Nola’s early exit. During those 4 innings, Wheeler gave up a two-run home run to Ozzie Albies, allowed 3 hits, and 3 walks. However, he did not allow the Braves to score any more runs.
Meanwhile, Nola threw 38 pitches in 1.2 innings and left the mound with the Phillies in a 3-0 gap. With one out, he gave up consecutive walks to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson, putting runners on base.
As Nola struggled with throwing strikes, Michael Harris II hit a three-run home run in the next at-bat. Mattingly pulled him with two outs in the second inning after he allowed a single to Dominic Smith.
Now, Bryce Harper and co. have to wait for another year to end their 18-year drought.