Even though he only threw 83 pitches in his excellent Game 1 NLCS outing, Zack Wheeler is not a candidate to come back on short rest for Game 4, even if the Phillies lose Game 3 on Friday.
Wheeler has been tremendous in his first postseason action, posting a 1.40 ERA across three playoff starts. Had it not been for a crucial misplay by Rhys Hoskins in Game 2 of the NLDS — or had that play just been scored an error — Wheeler’s ERA would be even more miniscule.
But manager Rob Thomson ruled out bringing back the 32-year-old on short rest for Game 4.