Has Zack Wheeler or Bryce Harper had a bigger impact during their stay with the Phillies?

That’s the burning question of a recent Times News Lehighton Facebook poll, and likely on the minds of Phillies fans as both players turn another corner after some significant time with the club.

Is one player or both the key for the Phillies to capture their first World Series championship since 2008? Both recently helped their cases.

Wheeler spun a complete-game one-hitter with 12 strikeouts against the Reds, and Harper socked four extra base hits (first time in his career) in a win over the Giants.

In this version of my Behind the Plate column, I’ll take a look at Wheeler and Harper’s Phillies’ career, as well as the National League starter for the All-Star game, and a possible Mets’ pitching move.

Also, I’ll refresh your memory about a former Panther Valley pitcher who played in the Yankees and White Sox’s minor-league systems.

You Said It ... In the poll, Wheeler won by an overwhelming margin over Harper. Wheeler claimed 85 percent of the vote, while Harper received 15 percent.

Wheel in the Sky ... Over the last five years (not including his 4-2 COVID season, which would make six) with the Phillies, Wheeler has a 64-33 record (including his last start) with a 2.84 ERA, 994 strikeouts and 196 walks in 874 innings. Those are some staggering numbers.

Currently, he is second in the majors with 148 strikeouts, third in ERA, and second in innings pitched with 116.

Since May 1, Wheeler arguably has been the best starter in the senior circuit, and among the top three in both leagues. He leads all NL starting pitchers in the following categories: ERA, strikeout-walk percentage, opponents’ batting average, WHIP and opponents’ barrel rate.

Putting the analytical stuff aside, Wheeler is 7-2 with a 1.50 ERA, 91 strikeouts and 16 walks since May 1. He should have been the starter in the All-Star Game (see below).

In the postseason, Wheeler has played his part. His 4-3 record is deceptive, but take a look at his 2.18 ERA, 77 strikeouts and 14 walks. In 2022, Wheeler went 3-0 with a 1.95 ERA, struck out 35 and walked three.

In Steve Carlton’s first six seasons with the Phils, he posted an overall 114-74 record with a 3.02 ERA, 1,408 strikeouts and 601 walks in 1,703 innings. You have to wonder what Wheeler would have done in a full 2020 season.

It’s hard to argue that Wheeler hasn’t had a big impact.

Harper’s Valley ... On the other hand, Harper enters year seven of baseball’s once biggest deal — a 13-year, $330,000 bonanza back in 2019. His $27 million this year now ranks 23rd, and Wheeler is fourth with his $42 million.

Like Wheeler, Harper has solid postseason stats with his .325 average, 12 homers and 24 RBIs in 34 games. Still, Harper’s megadeal was made with the presumed World Series ring to follow.

Heading into tonight’s game in San Diego, Harper has played in 791 games with the Phillies, collecting 162 homers, 490 RBIs, a .282 average along with a .915 OPS, a .389 OBP and a .526 slugging percentage.

He won his lone MVP with the Phillies (he also won one with Washington) in 2021 when he hit 35 homers with 84 RBIs, a .302 average and a league-high 42 doubles. Harper also added a MLB-high 1.044 OPS and a .615 slugging percentage.

At 32, Harper should have something left in the tank even though he is in his 14th season. Apparently locked at first base for his immediate future, Harper’s longevity should benefit from the move.

Once viewed as the next “Babe Ruth” when he broke into the majors, Harper’s career has been overshadowed with the rise of Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto. Angels’ aging slugger Mike Trout still can be considered as an equal or slightly rated above Harper.

Readers Write ... Turn the Wheel (er) Right

Dear Jeff,

Zack (Wheeler) has been consistent and dominant. Bryce (Harper) is streaky, but injuries have cost him. This year is no different. Don’t get me wrong, Harper has had some big hits, but he also has gone cold with the entire team in the playoffs when needed most.

Melissa Hammer Hager

Lehighton

Skenes Scenes ... Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes has continued to be in elite pitching circles.

He’ll be the NL’s starter for the second consecutive season in the All-Star Game Tuesday night in Atlanta, and there’s plenty of debate about whether Wheeler should have gotten the nod.

As for Skenes, he has a 4-7 record with a MLB-leading 1.94 ERA. He’s third in WHIP (0.92), fifth in strikeouts (125), and tied with Wheeler in innings pitched (116). Last season, Skenes began the year with a 6-0 record and a 1.90 ERA, with 89 strikeouts and 13 walks during that span.

By the way, the last Pirate hurler before Skenes to start an All-Star Game was Bob Veale, who did it in both 1965 and 1966.

Other pitchers since 1960 to start consecutive All-Star games since 1960 were ex-Phillie Jim Bunning with the Tigers (1961-62), Toronto’s Dave Stieb (1983-84), Atlanta’s Greg Maddux (1997-98), Arizona’s Randy Johnson (2000-01), and Washington’s Max Scherzer (2017-18).

Holmes New Home? ... In his first full year as a starter, Clay Holmes had an 8-4 record with a 3.29 ERA in 18 starts for the Mets. The converted ex-Yankees reliever has averaged 5.4 innings per start this season.

With his 98 innings, Holmes is on track to likely double his high-water mark of 63.2 set in 2022. He has averaged five innings over his last five starts, and his ERA rose from 3.04 to 3.29 during the time.

There has been concern that Holmes may be tiring. The Mets are expected to have Kodei Senga and Sean Manaea return to the rotation soon, and there may be another option for Holmes.

Why not return Holmes to the bullpen in August? If the Mets don’t pick up another arm to complement Edwin Diaz, Holmes could be a perfect fit.

In his four years in the Yankees’ bullpen — primarily as their closer — Holmes recorded a 19-14 record with 74 saves and a 2.69 ERA. Last season, he had a 3-5 mark with a 3.14 ERA and 30 saves. Over the previous two seasons, he had 24 and 20 saves, respectively.

It’s just a thought, but it could prove invaluable to the Mets down the stretch.

Scrapbook ... Each column, I will peel back the pages to recall one of the local standouts from our coverage area.

Do you remember Bob Polinsky? The former Panther Valley pitcher began his career making his mark in the Lansford Little League, and then helped Panther Valley to a pair of district titles in both 1968 and 1969.

Polinsky was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1969, but chose to further his career at Delaware Valley College. While there, Polinsky set new records for career ERA (1.29) and season ERA (0.80), as well as career strikeouts (234). He appeared in 24 games and threw 167 innings overall.

In 1973, Polinsky was the Yankees’ first overall pick. During his first year there with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, he posted a 4-8 record with a 3.28 ERA and appeared in 46 games, with a league-high 13 saves.

Polinsky spent the following year with the White Sox’s Triple-A Iowa Oaks after being traded by the Yankees with Oscar Gamble and LaMarr Hoyt to Chicago in April for Bucky Dent. However, Polinsky came back to the Yankees’ minor-league system for his final three years.

Overall, Polinsky had a 13-15 record with a 4.52 ERA and 14 saves in 98 games in the minors, and never pitched in the majors. He passed away at age 68 in Gainesville, Georgia, in 2020.

Time Passages ... It was 50 years ago in Milwaukee’s County Stadium when the National League rallied for a 6-3 victory in the 46th annual All-Star Classic.

Bill Madlock had a two-run single, and Pete Rose added a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth that pushed the NL to a victory.

Jerry Reuss and Vida Blue were the starters. Jon Matlack picked up the victory, while Catfish Hunter suffered the loss.

The Phillies’ Dave Cash, Larry Bowa and Greg Luzinski each had an at-bat without a hit.

There were 14 Hall of Famers in the game.

Final Thought ... Thursday night, ESPN aired a “Home Run Derby Preview Show.” Really? Did anyone watch? If you did, let me know.

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com