Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler openly criticized the Athletics’ temporary pitching mound during Friday’s game in Sacramento, citing how it affected his performance despite his strong outing. Facing the Athletics at Sutter Health Park, he described the mound conditions as unusually hard and challenging, impacting his pitching mechanics.
Wheeler Expresses Frustration Over the Unusual Mound Surface
Wheeler compared the temporary mound to solid cement, explaining that its firmness disrupted his ability to use his lower body efficiently. Adjustments were necessary as he struggled to find proper footing. He said,
“That was really it. Honestly, I felt great today and that’s why I was frustrated, cause I felt great and the mound was bad.”
The unusual hardness close to the pitching rubber forced him to rely more on his arm than usual during the game.
He elaborated,
“It was like cement right in front of the rubber. So I was just trying to break it up, and once you kind of did break it up, there’s little bumps in it. It probably doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you’re used to pitching on similar mounds throughout the league, just that little difference kind of messes with you. I really couldn’t get into the dirt to drive. So I was throwing all arm tonight. It was a little different. I just had to make little adjustments out there as I went.”
Strong Performance Despite Difficult Conditions
Even with the challenging mound, Wheeler delivered an impressive performance by pitching 6.2 innings without allowing a run. He limited the Athletics to just three hits and two walks, while striking out eight batters. This appearance extended his scoreless inning streak to 22.2 innings, a testament to his resilience despite the adverse conditions.
Through 11 starts this season, Wheeler has posted a 6-1 record with a 2.42 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP, underscoring his continued effectiveness on the mound. These statistics show his key role within the Phillies’ rotation as they compete this season.
Athletics’ Temporary Home and Its Impact on Players
The Athletics are currently playing at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, a minor league stadium, until their new venue opens in Las Vegas, expected for the 2028 season. This temporary relocation means both the Athletics and visiting teams must adapt to less-than-ideal playing conditions, including unfamiliar fields and pitching mounds that differ from the MLB standard.
While not perfect, players will continue to work around these conditions as the Athletics’ long-term plans for their new Las Vegas stadium move forward. For pitchers like Wheeler, this means facing unique challenges that require on-the-fly adjustments to maintain performance levels.