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Phillies' Aaron Nola Reflects on 'Terrible' Start to 2025

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated May 15, 2025 11:45 AM ET

What started as a great opportunity for a doubleheader sweep quickly turned into another batting practice session from Aaron Nola.

The 11-year Phillies' veteran served up three home runs and nine runs overall, failing to make it out of the fourth inning in Wednesday night's loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Nola allowed a career-worst 12 hits while only striking out two.

Afterwards, he didn't sugarcoat his latest performance.

"I feel like for the most part I did get to two strikes, but I wasn't able to put them away," Nola said. "I didn't do my job well at all. Guys gave me good run support, hit the ball really well, and I didn't get it done."

Nola has easily been the weak link in an otherwise stellar Philadelphia rotation this season. He sits at 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. He's allowed the second most total bases among National League pitchers. His fastball velocity - already not high by MLB standards - continues to be down from past seasons.

When asked about how he feels physically, Nola was again quite frank.

"I don't really have another answer for tonight, other than 'terrible.'"

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Perhaps all the innings over Nola's decade-long career are finally taking a toll on him. He's been on the injured list only once in the Bryce Harper era - for all of 10 days in 2021 - but has never struggled to this extend during that period.

But with Nola still under contract for five more years beyond this one, the Championship chasing Phils have to hope he can regain form soon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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