clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Rise and Phight: 8/11/2021

Stupid rain delay

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

As of this writing, the game hadn’t even been re-started. Which is a shame because the Phillies really needed Aaron Nola to come up big last night and give them a long, quality start. He’d thrown 51 pitches by the time the delay started, so he was well within his normal limit.

Nola, of course, has not been all that great this year. He’s had flashes of the Nola of old, but for the most part, he’s been incredibly inconsistent, a far cry from what we had come to know and love about him. But last night, against a loaded Dodgers lineup, Nola was looking great before the rain came. The only good news is that at least he had completed four full innings as opposed to the delay coming in the middle of an inning he was pitching.

If Nola can somehow replicate tonight’s start throughout the rest of the season, what a boost that would provide. Zack Wheeler has been amazing and Kyle Gibson, so far, looks like a solid pickup at the deadline, but Nola is the key. He has to give this team a solid third option in the rotation. It’s not much to ask; he’s done it for years already. They just need the Nola of old to return.

On to the links.

Phillies news:

MLB news: