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The Opening Day starting pitching matchup for Phillies-Nationals is set

Sep 28, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) pitches against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke

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CLEARWATER — The Opening Day starting pitching matchup for Phillies-Washington Nationals in D.C. is set.

Rob Thomson announced Monday that Zack Wheeler will get the ball for the Phillies to begin the season at Nationals Park on March 27. It marks the second the second consecutive Opening Day start for Wheeler, who is coming off of the second runner-up finish in NL Cy Young Award voting in his career. 

"He's one of the best pitchers in baseball and the combination of power, command and pitchability — that's why he's so great," Thomson said. 

It had been assumed all spring that Wheeler would indeed toe the rubber for Opening Day, but this is the first time it's been announced. Wheeler got the ball last year in the first game of the season, snapping a streak of six consecutive Opening Day starts for Aaron Nola.

"He's a stud. He's our guy. I'll say it again and again, I think he's the best in the league," Nola said of Wheeler Monday. "I've been around him for all these years and he goes out there and pitches with that velocity and command and that's what makes him great. He's a competitor on the mound and we love seeing him out there."

Wheeler pitched six shutout innings against the Atlanta Braves last year on Opening Day, but the bullpen melted down behind him in an eventual 9-3 loss. 

Meanwhile, the Nationals will counter with MacKenzie Gore, Washington skipper Dave Martinez announced Sunday. Gore — one of the key pieces the Nats got in the Juan Soto trade with the San Diego Padres back in the summer of 2022 — went 10-12 with a 3.90 ERA across 166 1/3 innings a year ago. This will be the first career Opening Day start for Gore. 

Gore is a lefty, but left-handed hitters actually hit .282 with an .834 OPS against him a year ago, as opposed to .257 with a .704 OPS from righties. The reverse splits could help the Phillies, who figure to have five left-handed hitters — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh — in their Opening Day lineup. 

Who will lead off for the Phillies against Gore and the Nationals at 4:05 ET on Opening Day? Check out On Pattison's latest Opening Day lineup projection to find out. 

There are 10 days until Opening Day. Here’s my latest projection of what the lineup will look like for the #Phillies in D.C. onpattison.com/news/2025/ma...

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— Tim Kelly (@timkellysports.bsky.social) March 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM

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author

Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly is the Managing Editor for On Pattison. He's been on the Phillies beat since 2020. Kelly is also on Bleacher Report's MLB staff. Previously, Kelly has worked for Phillies Nation, Audacy Sports, SportsRadio 94 WIP, Just Baseball, FanSided, Locked On and Sports Illustrated/FanNation. Kelly is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a major in Mass Communications and minor in Political Science.

author

Anthony SanFilippo

Anthony SanFilippo has been covering professional sports in Philadelphia since 1998. He has worked for WIP Radio, NBCSportsPhilly.com, the Delaware County Daily Times and its sister publications in the Philly burbs, the Associated Press, PhiladelphiaFlyers.com and, most recently, Crossing Broad. These days he predominantly writes about the Phillies and Flyers, but he has opinions on the other teams as well. He also hosts a pair of Philly Sports podcasts (Crossed Up and Snow the Goalie) and dabbles in acting, directing, teaching, serves on a nonprofit board and works full-time in strategic marketing communications, which is why he has no time to do anything else, but will if you ask. Follow him on X @AntSanPhilly.

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