Remember when former Phillies manager Pete Mackanin called Aaron Nola a “solid number three” starter? This was after Nola finished the 2017 season with a 2.49 ERA, 150 strikeouts, and 1.00 WHIP from June on. Almost everyone could see he was developing into a top-tier starter. This year, Nola truly took the leap forward into the elite echelon of pitcher.
Nola started off the year at the center of a controversy, but not for anything he did. He was cruising on Opening Day, allowing just one run on three hits in 5.1 innings. However, manager Gabe Kapler opted to go this bullpen in what became an infamous series for the team.