Insiders Looking at Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola to Determine Phillies Season

The Philadelphia Phillies season is set to get underway soon and the excitement is as high as it's ever been.

After losing in the NLCS when many expected them to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks and return to their second World Series, the Phillies should have a chip on their shoulder, ready to get back to work.

Philadelphia didn't make any massive moves this offseason. Everything is going to fall on the shoulders of Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and others.

If those four do what they do best, they're a tough team to beat.

David Adler and Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com revealed one key number for each team in 2024. When it comes to the Phillies, they're looking at Wheeler and Nola's combined WAR.

They write that if Philadelphia wants to compete in the NL East with the Atlanta Braves, they need Nola and Wheeler to be at their best. According to Adler and Harrigan, Wheeler has led all pitchers in WAR since the 2020 season and Nola ranks fourth over the time.

Competing with the Braves isn't an easy task, but as they saw last season, they don't necessarily have to win the division, as that doesn't guarantee success in the postseason.

Pitching is the biggest part of a World Series team and having two of the best in baseball is part of what makes this team so dangerous.

Nola signed a new deal and rumors suggest Wheeler could do the same before the season starts.

Locking them both into new deals takes even more pressure off them as they head into a massive 2024 season.