The Philadelphia Phillies‘ magical run is over.
After firing manager Joe Girardi and promoting Rob Thomson to the role, the Phillies took off from 22-29 and found a way into the postseason.
There, they beat up on the St. Louis Cardinals to advance to the NLDS, where they would do the same to the Atlanta Braves.
The trend continued in the NLCS with the San Diego Padres.
However, Philadelphia fell just two games short of their first World Series title since 2008.
Aaron Nola, one of the team’s aces, was one of the key factors in their run to the NL pennant, but had an $18 million club option for 2023.
Today, the Phillies made the easy decision to exercise that option and keep him around for at least one more season.
Phillies pick up Aaron Nola $18M option
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 7, 2022
Phils Keep Nola For 2023
Nola dominated the Cardinals in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series and pitched another gem against the Braves in the NLDS.
From then on, his outings were less than stellar, but the 29-year-old right-hander went 11-13 in 32 starts and posted a 3.25 ERA during the regular season.
The Phillies now have their two aces locked up for 2023.
Zack Wheeler has two years left on his contract with the Phils.
But having them both back for 2023 should give them a fair shot at making another run to the Fall Classic.
In five starts this postseason, Nola went 2-2 and posted a 4.91 ERA.
The right-hander started both Games 1 and 4 in the World Series against the Houston Astros and did not make it through the fifth inning in either game.
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