Things have not gone smoothly for Aaron Nola this season, but the Philadelphia Phillies need him now more than ever.
The veteran right-hander takes the ball for the Phillies on Thursday when they open a four-game home series against the Atlanta Braves.
Philadelphia stumbles home after getting swept in three games by the New York Mets, who outscored the Phillies 25-8. The second-place Mets, who took the series finale 6-0 on Wednesday, narrowed the Phillies' lead in the National League East to four games.