How Phillies' Ace Nola Turned His Season Around

During the final year of his contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, their ace Aaron Nola was struggling. He's turned it around thanks to one simple solution.

Aaron Nola has been part of the Philadelphia Phillies organization since he was selected seventh overall in the 2014 MLB Draft.

He had a meteoric rise, making his debut the following season and starting 13 games during his rookie year.

Nola is the longest tenured player on the Phillies and has been one of the franchise's top pitchers since settling in at the MLB level.

Philadelphia and their ace weren't able to lock down a long-term contract before the 2023 season, so Nola went into the year knowing he'd be a free agent whenever the season ended.

It looked like he had made a mistake betting on himself after posting a modest 12-9 record, an ERA of 4.46 and the highest number of opposing home runs he had given up in his career (32).

But Nola has flipped the script in his last four starts and according to TBS' color commentator, Jeff Francoeur, it was a simple fix that turned things around.

During Game 3 of the NLDS, Francoeur said he was talking with the Phillies' coaches who mentioned Nola was looking at the pitch clock on the right side of the stadium which was affecting his mechanics.

They told him to look at the pitch clock on the left side of the stadium instead to open up his stance.

The results have been tremendous.

In Nola's last four stars, he has an ERA of 1.79 with 28 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings pitched.

That includes two starts against the Atlanta Braves who boasted one of the best offenses in baseball history.

Whether this quick fix was the real reason why the ace turned his season around or not, the results can't be argued with.

Nola will take the mound on Tuesday night for Game 2 looking to continue the top form that he has found.