Author: Julian Bravo
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Why Kyle Schwarber is a Coward
Kyle Schwarber is a coward for all the right reasons. He is arrogant, manipulative, and powerful. It has led him to NL MVP conversations over the course of this season. Manager Rob Thomson could not get enough of praising him while his job was on the line.
The Phillies have until September 28, 2025 to determine whether they are the crowning achievers of the NL East. Schwarber started his career in Chicago, Washington, and Boston. Why all of a sudden is he hitting the ball so fantastic?
It is simply because of getting accustomed to playing in Citizens Bank Park and playing behind a No.1 hitter, still, in 2021 NL MVP, Bryce Harper. Harper is the essence of the Philadelphia Phillies organization, not Schwarber. Schwarber made up his mind after all the dingers, community fundraising, and Dave Dombrowski that this team was headed in a new direction with or without him.
The Phillies have a gigantic decision to make which they have never done in their organizational philosophy. Do you overpay a surmountable money to a player that is passing through colors of his prime in Philadelphia or trust the cap-off of a 2025 MLB World Series?
It was cowardice Schwarber did not extend a deal with one of the best organizations in professional baseball but nobody knows where his heart or Cal Raleigh’s lies just yet until they ultimately go and play MLB postseason team baseball.
It has been an interesting season of baseball. There is nobody still as transcendent looking on the outside such as Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge who are hanging onto every last breath with their respective teams from last year’s World Series classic between Los Angeles and New York.
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Where Zack Wheeler Ranks in Phillies Galore
Zack Wheeler will return next season. At age 36, it will not be pleasant or the same. Wheeler has been riding on a wave for well over a decade with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. Scouts knew just how special and talented Wheeler was going to become.
In Phillies history, he has ranked with some of the best in terms of strikeouts. Aaron Nola is fourth ahead, however, on that list and has respected his dues to the Phillies as a respectable organization and Wheeler himself.
Wheeler recently suffered a blood clot in his throwing shoulder and there has been speculation about MLB superstars Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani hurting the same. Could it be a matter of the pitch clock and sudden realignment? This is crazy, someone might think.
Velocity is extremely on fire, and, meanwhile sixth-round pick Bryan Woo, of the Seattle Mariners, is pitching 25 consecutive games, alongside home run sensation Cal Raleigh, and allowing 2 walks or fewer in six innings. Something that has not been set since Zack Greinke in 2015.
Truth be told, Wheeler has a great legacy to be told, mostly with Philadelphia. He was unsuccessful in the 2022 MLB World Series between the Houston Astros as he went 0-2 with a 5.23 ERA. A feat to be certain Wheeler would want to ascertain in his own determination and feedback.
The most historic achievement is when Wheeler last pitched a 0.73 WHIP in at least 50 innings during the MLB Postseason and was fantastic. There may come a true calling card with Wheeler but it is definitely standing side-by-side with Aaron Nola if the two do not ever pair, yet, again.
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Zack Wheeler Faces Season-Ending Surgery
Wheeler has been dealt with season-ending venous thoracic outlet surgery. The Philadelphia Phillies ace will turn 36 next year and various sources are claiming that Wheeler will likely miss some of 2026.
Wheeler will begin throwing on the mound in eight weeks but this throws cause for major concern. The Phillies starting rotation ranks third in MLB and Christopher Sanchez is leading the way now. There have been bumps in the roads with some of their other lefties such as Ranger Suarez and Jesus Luzardo but does this open the door for pitching prospect, Andrew Painter?
It would be a move out of desperation. The last leftie to pull out strong was Cliff Lee in the 2009 MLB Postseason with a 4-0 record and 1.56 ERA. He played with a really good seasoned veteran in ‘Doc’ Halladay and I am not too certain the Phillies have the numbers on their side especially with their bullpen reliever Jose Alvarado’s absence.
Read back on Sports Kingdom’s recent article by Julian Bravo as much will solely be determined by the heart and fate of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber one last time without Wheeler undergoing a more unique surgical procedure.
