The Philadelphia Phillies enter May 2025 with a starting rotation that has not only emerged as the backbone of the franchise but also as a potential best-in-baseball unit.
Built around stability, depth, and a mix of proven arms and high-upside lefties, this group is pushing the Phillies into new territory.
Anchored by Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, and the newly acquired Jesus Luzardo, the rotation stands as a strength few teams can rival.
This article dives deep into the Phillies’ rotation, dissecting individual contributions, league comparisons, injury resilience, and what makes this five-man staff elite.
Zack Wheeler // The Undisputed Ace
Zack Wheeler remains the rotation’s anchor. Over the past four seasons, Wheeler has missed just six starts, showcasing not only durability but elite-level command that separates him from most pitchers in the game. His delivery is smooth, fluid, and repeatable, which minimizes injury risk and allows him to sustain mid-to-upper 90s velocity deep into starts.
Among starters with 150+ innings last season, Wheeler ranked in the top ten for both FIP and WHIP, reinforcing his ace status. His ability to navigate lineups multiple times without diminishing effectiveness gives the Phillies a true game-one workhorse every week.
Aaron Nola // The Rubber Arm
Aaron Nola hasn’t missed a start since 2017. That’s over 200 consecutive starts, a rarity in the modern era. The Phillies committed $172 million to Nola because of that durability and the high ceiling he continues to show. Nola’s success comes from a unique ability to adapt routines during the season. He admitted that abandoning rigid day-to-day habits early in his career helped him maintain health and performance. Nola enters May aiming to replicate his sub-3.50 ERA while keeping his elite strikeout-to-walk ratio intact. His self-awareness and strategic preparation make him more than just a No. 2—he’s a co-ace.
Cristopher Sanchez // The Breakout Lefty
Cristopher Sanchez turned heads last season, evolving from a depth option into a legitimate top-of-the-rotation candidate. The left-hander excelled with a groundball-heavy profile that meshed perfectly with the Phillies’ infield defense. His chase rate was among the league’s top percentile, contributing to Philadelphia’s ranking as second-best in opponent chase percentage.
His sinker-changeup combo became especially deadly against right-handed hitters. Sanchez provides mid-rotation excellence and, paired with another groundball machine in Ranger Suarez, creates balance against power-heavy NL East lineups.
Ranger Suarez // Health and Feel
Ranger Suarez enters May feeling healthy enough to skip a step in his rehab process—a positive development considering his past injuries. Suarez’s feel for the zone and natural deception makes him incredibly difficult to square up. In a league obsessed with velocity, Suarez thrives on movement, location, and sequencing. Last season, Suarez maintained a groundball rate among the top 10 of qualified pitchers and limited hard contact better than most left-handers in the NL. With him fully healthy, the Phillies’ rotation boasts four starters who could slide into the No. 2 spot on any playoff team.
Jesus Luzardo // The New Arrival
Jesus Luzardo arrived in Philadelphia to fill what was once a rotating door at the back of the rotation.
But as President Dave Dombrowski emphasized:
“You would never call him just a fifth starter; he’s better than that.”
Luzardo, a high-velocity lefty with elite strikeout numbers, adds a swing-and-miss element to a rotation already flush with finesse and control. Luzardo’s arsenal brings a power dynamic that rounds out the rotation’s profile.
His acquisition signals the Phillies’ commitment to rotation-first team building, a shift from earlier years defined by power bats like Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos.
The Stats that Back It Up
Statistically, the Phillies’ rotation is elite. In 2024, the staff ranked second in Wins Above Replacement, only trailing the Braves. They finished second in the majors in groundball rate and chase rate and posted the fifth-best strikeout-to-walk ratio. What makes these numbers even more impressive is the fact they managed it without a stable No. 5 starter for the final two months.
After August 1, Taijuan Walker, Tyler Phillips, and Seth Johnson combined for 58 earned runs in just 38 innings—an astonishing 13.74 ERA. This performance highlights the significance of securing Luzardo and underlines the Phillies’ shift toward consistency. With betting metrics like prize picks increasingly valuing groundball and K/BB metrics, the Phillies’ rotation stands out for its predictability and dominance.
Dodgers, D-Backs, Mariners, Yankees // Comparison of Rotations
The Dodgers might offer a flashier group with names like Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin. Yet, no one in that group has proven year-over-year durability. Glasnow’s most innings in a season? Just 139. Snell averages only 138 innings per full season since 2018. Sasaki is a rookie, Yamamoto barely pitched in long stints, and both Gonsolin and May are recovering from surgeries. The Diamondbacks added Corbin Burnes via a six-year, $210 million deal, pairing him with Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Brandon Pfaadt. Yet, their rotation lacks the swing-and-miss of Philly’s. The Mariners refused to part with Logan Gilbert or George Kirby in an Alec Bohm deal—proof of their rotation’s value. The Yankees added Max Fried and Marcus Stroman to Gerrit Cole’s group, but Cole’s health questions linger. Philly stands out by combining elite metrics and long-term dependability.
The Hidden Advantage // Health
Few teams enjoy the health record the Phillies have with Wheeler and Nola. Nola has not missed a start since 2017. Wheeler has been a model of consistency since 2020. This consistency has spared the Phillies from having to creatively fill rotation holes.
Teams like the Yankees and Dodgers have had to adjust on the fly due to injury-prone rotations. The Phillies’ top-tier arms have stayed on the field due to mechanics, personalized preparation, and a smart mix of workload management. As Nola said, “Finding my routine early in my career has helped me out a lot.”
Spring Training Depth Options
Despite having five established starters and swingman Joe Ross, the Phillies will enter spring training with additional arms like Taijuan Walker, Tyler Phillips, and Seth Johnson. Ross, signed to a one-year, $4 million deal, has 86 career starts and offers insurance without needing a minor-league call-up. The depth will not figure prominently into 2025 unless injuries occur, but their availability gives the front office flexibility. The difference from last year is stark—what was once a rotation built on three trustworthy arms now enters May with six experienced options.
Dombrowski’s Vision for 2025
President Dave Dombrowski said it best: “The best chance to win is to throw a quality starting pitcher out there every single day.” Acquiring Luzardo was not just about depth—it was about identity. The Phillies have evolved from a team known for home run threats to one that can send out a top-tier starter every night.
Luzardo does not just fill a gap—he elevates the baseline. Every fifth day now has a shot at being a win because of who is on the mound. Dombrowski’s blueprint for a rotation-led contender is finally realized.
Andrew Painter // Midseason X-Factor
The Phillies have not forgotten Andrew Painter. One of baseball’s top prospects, Painter, is targeting a midseason return. Should he progress without setbacks, he offers high-octane velocity and frontline potential.
Adding a healthy Painter to a rotation already operating at a high level could provide a crucial lift in the second half, especially if any of the main five require rest or recovery. His presence looms large as the next generation of Phillies pitching continues to take shape.
Staying Intact is the Key
The Phillies’ rotation is not just strong—it is smartly built, statistically elite, and deeply reliable. With Wheeler, Nola, Sanchez, Suarez, and Luzardo all performing and staying healthy, there is a real chance this group finishes 2025 as the top staff in MLB.
Their track record of availability and statistical dominance already places them in elite company.
Whether they hold through the grind of a six-month regular season remains the final question.
But as it stands heading into May, the Phillies might just have the best rotation in baseball.
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