In a move that's stirring up the roster, the Philadelphia Phillies have announced Zack Wheeler as their starter for Opening Day, set to square off against the Atlanta Braves on March 28 at Citizens Bank Park, ending Aaron Nola's six-year streak of inaugural game dominance. This decision comes on the heels of Wheeler's standout season, with him fresh off signing a hefty contract extension, CBS News Philadelphia reported.
According to MLB, the right-hander has been Major League Baseball’s front-runner over the past four seasons, amassing a record that can only be described as sterling. With an ERA ranking fourth overall since joining the Phillies, Wheeler has managed to quickly prove his worth once more. His new three-year contract extension worth $126 million slates him to be one of the highest-paid pitchers in the game, which he undoubtedly seems to consistently earn through his achievements on the mound.
Earlier in March, Wheeler and the Phillies shook hands on this high-value deal, which takes the crown for the highest average annual value in team history, as well as the fourth-highest among major league starters. Only Shohei Ohtani, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander sit financially above Wheeler, whose $42 million per year salary is also the highest ever in a contract extension, reported CBS News Philadelphia.
"Wheels should take it. He’s earned it, man," shared Aaron Nola, expressing his support for Wheeler in snagging the Opening Day spot, in a statement to FOX 29 Sports. Wheeler, set to turn 34 in May, made his case even stronger after a solid spring showing against the Blue Jays, tossing four innings with two strikeouts and only one run allowed. The tempered announcement, devoid of any razzmatazz, signifies a passing of the Opening Day torch grounded in mutual respect and meritocracy.
With the previous season falling just shy of a National League Championship Series victory, Zack Wheeler is pegged to lead the team right from the get-go, demonstrably set to perhaps to throw the first pitch of another memorable season for the Phillies.
