Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler has obviously put his struggles behind him.
Remember last month when Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler was looking like he was suddenly falling off a cliff?
That feels like a distant memory now.
Wheeler tossed seven shutout innings in a 3-0 victory over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, leading his team to what felt like a must-win as they try to cement a Wild Card spot in the National League.
The 36-year-old allowed just four hits while walking one, registering five strikeouts in what was his fourth straight impressive outing.
That followed a stretch that began in late July where Wheeler surrendered four or more runs in four of six outings, including getting shelled for eight runs and four home runs in a loss to the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 24.
Wheeler then changed something with his arm angle, which appeared ever so slightly off during the rough stretch, and the rest is history.
The right-hander has gone six or more innings in each of his last four starts, and he has completed seven frames in his last two.
Throughout this current run, Wheeler has surrendered a grand total of three earned runs and just one homer, and his command has been significantly better.
Wheeler's ERA is now back under 3 at 2.99, and his 1.058 WHIP is much closer to what we have long been accustomed to seeing from the three-time All-Star.
It's perfect timing, too, considering the playoffs are just around the corner, and with Cristopher Sanchez suddenly struggling and Jesus Luzardo's status in question due to a shoulder injury, the Phillies need Wheeler now more than ever.
Wheeler is certainly familiar with postseason baseball, owning a lifetime 2.77 ERA and sparkling 0.725 WHIP over 12 career playoff outings. And with the veteran getting older and older, it could be now or never in terms of a potential World Series run.
Of course, the rest of Philadelphia's squad will need to get in line for that to happen, as some of the Phillies' old issues have resurfaced here late in the year.
But one thing is for sure: Wheeler has certainly seemed to solve his problem.
