2025 was a nightmare season for Aaron Nola.
Nola held a career-worst 6.01 earned run average across 94.1 innings pitched. It was the least amount of innings the veteran has thrown in a single season since his rookie year (excluding the shortened 2020 season).
I asked Rob Thomson what he needed to see from Nola before his first start on Saturday.
"I want to see command."
Command has always been a calling card for the former first-round draft pick. Painting the corners with his knuckle curveball has helped Nola rack up over 1,876 career strikeouts.
For those who have watched Nola's career develop in Philadelphia, many know that he often gets off to slow starts.
With cold Northeast springs changing the temperature on a whim, the Louisiana-born hurler typically picks up with the heat.
"With the weather being cool that might be difficult," Rob Thomson stated continuing to discuss Nola's command being his top priority for his outing on Saturday.
Thomson referenced that the baseballs often get slick when it is cool. A factor that might make things challenging for the veteran.
The Phillies' skipper also mentioned Nola's velocity in his final Spring Training outing.
"[His] velocity dumped a little bit in his last Spring [Training] start. I'm not sure if that is an adrenaline dump from the WBC or not. I'd like to see it click up a little bit."
For his career, Nola has made 49 starts in March and April. He is 17-15 in those outings, with a 3.97 earned run average.
Rome was not built in a day, so Aaron Nola does not need to try to win the Cy Young in his first outing of the season.
Keeping the Rangers' hitters off-balanced and the ball in the yard will be key components for the veteran, as he takes the ball in his 12th Major League season.
Allowing the Phillies to win their first series of the season will ultimately be what the team needs from their starting pitcher.
A return to form is what Nola needs in 2026. His journey back to being a top-of-the-line starting pitcher begins on Saturday.
