Philadelphia Phillies Ace Nola Gets Honest About Seasonal Collapses

Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola came clean about his seasonal struggles what seem to be implosions every fifth day.

Aaron Nola has been a frustrating character in recent Philadelphia Phillies history.

At moments that can last nearly a season he flashes Cy Young worthy performances.

He helps lead the Phillies into the postseason following a decade-long draught and right in the World Series.

Then he has the propensity to look like what he has looked like in 2023 - defeated.

During a 8-4 win over the Miami Marlins on Saturday, Nola went just 4.1 innings pitched and gave up four earned runs. All of which came in the fifth inning, ending Nola's evening and bloating his ERA to 4.64 on the season. 

The breakdown happened when Nola gave up a home run, double, double, single and finally another double all to consecutive hitters.

In a proverbial sense, the wheels fell off the bus and it all began with a Garrett Hampson home run. 

“Hampson got me I think on a pretty good pitch for a homer, and I felt like it just kind of unraveled," said Aaron Nola after the game. "I feel like it’s gone that way all year. Just kind of one big inning does it in for me for the start.”

It's the type of honest admission Phillies fans need, especially after Nola walked off the field to some boo's. But at the end of the day it doesn't explain why this happening. 

Perhaps it's the inability to mentally fight back after a setback like allowing a home run? Professional athlete tend to try and have short-term memory when a mistake happens, because they will. 

Nola seems unable to do recover from a minor setback like a single-run home run allowed. They ended up winning the game after all.

Perhaps it's the long 2023 MLB season still lingering, unable to ever catch up to the power curve all season?

Regardless of the cause, the solution must be found. Without Nola performing and pitching like an ace, Philadelphia stands little chance at making another run at a World Series. October is too inhospitable a time to be competing without one of your two aces pitching without full confidence.