Aaron Nola's struggles should push Phillies to make move ahead of trade deadline

Aaron Nola's latest dud should be all the Philadelphia Phillies need to see to make adding to the starting rotation the team's top priority ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.

On Monday, the 12-year MLB veteran's extended rough stretch continued in an 11-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates (43-42). Nola couldn't get out of the fifth, ending his 17th start of the season, allowing seven earned runs on eight hits, including two home runs, in 4.1 innings to raise his ERA to 6.04 this season. In 17 starts last year, Nola went 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA. According to Stathead research, his 6.03 ERA since the start of 2024 is the second-highest among pitchers with at least 34 starts during the span.

Phillies' Aaron Nola struggles again, turning starting rotation into need ahead of trade deadline

Amid a disappointing season, Monday's start may have been the low point of the year for Nola. The Phillies (47-38) gifted him a five-run lead, but the Pirates mounted a comeback even as the 2018 All-Star largely stayed away from his four-seam fastball, which batters are hitting an alarming .394 against this season.

Pittsburgh did most of its damage against Nola's off-speed and breaking pitches, second baseman Konnor Griffin ripping a double down the first base line off a 93.1mph slider in the third.