Phillies' former All-Star has not been one of their problems

Aaron Nola has turned things around in the early goings for the Phillies

Coming off his worst season — posting a career high 6.01 ERA in 17 starts and dealing with an ankle injury — Nola appears to have rebounded. Through his first three starts, the former All-Star (2018) is 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA and has 19 strikeouts (four walks) in 17.1 innings. 

Nola’s high ERA is due to allowing three home runs. San Francisco Giants first baseman/designated hitter Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run off Nola on Wednesday to spoil an otherwise solid pitching performance. The 32-year-old scattered five hits, a walk and struck out three in six innings of work. 

Ironically, Nola didn't allow a home run to the Colorado Rockies while pitching in Coors Field, where he's been great in his career. In seven games in Colorado, Nola is 3-2 with a 3.65 ERA and struck out 42 in 44.1 innings. Nola has also shown a strong ability to get ahead of hitters this season, upping his first pitch strike percentage from 61.4 percent in 2025 to 64.3 percent this season. 

The home run ball has been a problem for Nola in his career, allowing 30+ in 2023 (32) and 2024 (30). Nola did show some improvement in limiting the long ball in 2025 (18). 

The lack of run support in Nola’s starts is why things for Phillies fans appear worse than they are. In all three starts, the Phillies offense combined to score 14 runs. However, 10 of those 14 runs came against the Rockies. The Giants shut out the Phillies on Wednesday, and the Phillies scored four runs in the ninth (three) and 10th innings (one) against the Texas Rangers.