Ranking the 10 best pitchers in the National League East

Aug 4, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitchers Jacob deGrom (left) and
Aug 4, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitchers Jacob deGrom (left) and / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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7) Best pitchers in the NL East: Aaron Nola

The Phillies have two workhorses at the top of their rotation with Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. With the rest of their rotation being pretty average, they've needed Nola and Wheeler to carry the load, which they've done extremely well this season.

Nola burst onto the scene in 2018 finishing third in the National League Cy Young balloting. In a lot of other years, Nola would've won with the season he had.

Since then, things have been pretty up and down for the 29 year old but he's in the midst of his best season since that 2018 campaign.

Nola has gone 8-10 with a 3.25 ERA in 24 starts. The win-loss record doesn't represent how he's pitched at all. In a game against the Mets just a couple of weeks ago Nola gave up one run in eight innings but lost the game 1-0.

He ranks second in all of baseball in innings pitched. He has a WHIP under 1.000 and has allowed just 0.9 HR/9. What makes Nola special is his command. He's walked just 1.3 batters per nine, which is so impressive considering his innings pitched. Nola strikes out 9.9/9 and his 7.91 K/BB ratio is the best in the National League.

Nola has a 2.77 FIP which ranks sixth in baseball. This suggests he's been a bit unlucky pitching in front of a bad Phillies defense. Overall, Nola has been the ace the Phillies have needed and is re-solidifying himself as one of the better pitchers in the game.