Aaron Nola Flashes Vintage Form in Phillies Win Ahead of Postseason

Aaron Nola delivered a standout performance for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Minnesota Twins, pitching eight strong innings with nine strikeouts and no walks, and carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning before allowing a solo home run. Despite having a challenging 2025 season marked by injuries and a career-worst 6.01 ERA, this game showcased a return to his vintage form, with improved velocity and command across his pitching arsenal. His strikeout tally during the game moved him past Robin Roberts into second place on the Phillies' all-time strikeout list, behind only Steve Carlton. With the postseason approaching, Phillies manager Rob Thomson expressed confidence in Nola and indicated the possibility of using him as a relief pitcher for the first time in his career, given the team's rotation strategy. Nola himself expressed willingness to adapt roles to help the team win, highlighting his competitive spirit and readiness to contribute in any capacity. This performance could signal a pivotal role for Nola in the Phillies' October plans, despite the difficulties he faced throughout the regular season.