The Washington Nationals entered the three-game weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies feeling pretty good about themselves. Not only did they split a

Ranger Suarez struck out a career-high 11 batters over seven shutout innings, and Rafael Marchan drove in all three runs as the Philadelphia Phillies held off a late rally to defeat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on August 24,

So the Phillies will soldier on. They will try to win the World Series without their Game 1 starter, their ace, the best pitcher in baseball since joining the Phils prior to the 2020 season. It is impossible to replace someone who has put up a 2.18 ERA in 11 career postseason starts over 70 1/3 innings with a 0.725 WHIP.

The Philadelphia Phillies say ace Zack Wheeler was diagnosed with venous thoracic outlet syndrome and will require additional surgery that’s expected to sideline him for six to eight months

It’s not closure, and it’s not certainty, but it’s something close to both. The Phillies and their fans now know why Zack Wheeler won’t pitch for them again this year. Last week he was found to have a blood clot on the right side of his upper body.