Wheeler strikes out seven straight

Zack Wheeler set a Phillies record by striking out the first seven batters against Milwaukee on Tuesday night, surpassing Brandon Duckworth's mark of six consecutive strikeouts to start a game from 2002.

“I didn't know what to expect coming out. Just one of those days for me.”

Reaches 2,000 career strikeouts

Wheeler became the 96th pitcher in MLB history to reach 2,000 strikeouts, joining Aaron Nola as the second pair of teammates to hit the milestone in the same season. The Phillies beat the Brewers 6-4.

“It's really cool. It's special.”

Phillies move closer to Wild Card

The victory moved Philadelphia closer to clinching an NL Wild Card spot, which they can secure as early as Wednesday with another win and an Arizona loss at Colorado.

Long road back from injuries

Wheeler underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2015 after his second season with the Mets and didn't return until 2017. In 2025, he had a season-ending blood clot near his right shoulder in August, followed by thoracic outlet surgery in September.

“The road was hard coming back from that.”

Returned strong in 2025

Wheeler returned in late April and went 13-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 27 starts, earning praise from interim manager Don Mattingly for his performance after major surgery.

“I don't know if you could ask for much more.”

Cy Young contender since joining Phils

Wheeler became one of baseball's best pitchers after joining the Phillies in 2020, finishing second for the NL Cy Young Award twice since then.

Might rest for postseason start

Wheeler might skip his regular-season finale on Sunday against Tampa Bay if the Phillies clinch a Wild Card spot, allowing him to rest before potentially pitching in one of the first two games of the NL Wild Card Series.