Nola shakes off fatigue talk for Game 4 start

PHILADELPHIA >> October playoff baseball has essentially been a 50-50 proposition for Aaron Nola, who’ll start Game 4 of the World Series on Wednesday.

Coming off a riveting performance Oct. 3, when he went two outs deep into the seventh inning pitching a two-hit shutout with nine strikeouts, Nola carried over his effectiveness right into the playoffs.

He again threw 6.2 innings in what became a wild card clincher in St. Louis, and threw six innings in Game 3 of the NLDS against Atlanta, again allowing no earned runs. Over the course of his first two playoff starts, he allowed but nine hits, while striking out 12.

But handed the ball in San Diego on Oct. 19, Nola’s run was knocked off course. He allowed seven hits and six earned runs, two by solo homers, in a Game 2 loss to the Padres. Then in the World Series opener against Houston, Nola was roughed up for five earned runs via a solo homer and three-run shot, both by Kyle Tucker.

“I think there have been some fastballs that have kind of been over the plate that they connected with … four home runs in those last two starts of mine,” Nola acknowledged Tuesday. “I know in San Diego they were solos but the other night it was a solo and three-run homer. Solos aren’t going to beat you unless you give up a bunch of them. But threerun homers, they hurt.”

Nola escaped a second postseason loss via a Phillies Game 1 comeback. But there’s no question he started the playoffs hot and has since cooled. He isn’t the only Phils pitcher following that script, as Zack Wheeler showed in getting knocked around in a Game 2 Series loss to the Astros Saturday.

Questioned about Wheeler on Monday, Phils manager Rob Thomson blamed a fast case of fatigue — and not the fact that he was slammed on the side of a knee by a batted ball during Saturday’s game. Wheeler is still scheduled to start Game 6, if necessary, on an extra day’s rest Saturday.

Either way, Nola wasn’t relating to any fatigue talk.

“I don’t think any of us are really fatigued,” Nola said prior to Game 3. “I think the World Series and it being this late in the season get you amped up a little bit more. It makes your body feel good, especially when you step out on the field in front of all these people.

“Honestly the last thing that’s on my mind is fatigue. The body feels good, my arm feels good, that’s all that matters right now.”

It remains to be seen how Nola will respond Wednesday. The importance of the game isn’t lost on Nola, nor is its location. Those last two struggle-filled starts came on the road.

“I can’t wait,” Nola said. “Obviously it’s electric here. It’s fun. We all love this crowd and it feels so good to get back home for these next three games. I’m excited to pitch tomorrow.”