But the most notable moment from a grind-it-out 3-1 victory over the Cubs came in the seventh inning when Aaron Nola walked off the mound at Wrigley Field after finally looking like, well, Aaron Nola again. » READ MORE: Aaron Nola is one of the most durable pitchers in baseball, but how will he fix his early-season struggles?

The 31-year-old Nola was 4-1 with a 3.20 ERA through six starts in 2024. He finished 14-8 with a 3.57 ERA, helping the Phillies win the NL East. Nola, who agreed to a $172 million, seven-year contract with Philadelphia in February 2024, has stayed with his usual routine throughout his tough start to this year.

Aaron Nola has seen his share of ups and downs in a Phillies uniform, but early in 2025, one issue has refused to go away. After a sluggish start to the season, concerns are mounting about the 31-year-old’s declining velocity and shaky command,