Strong Case for Zack Wheeler in National League Cy Young Race
As the 2023 Major League Baseball season races towards its climax, the debate over the National League Cy Young Award has heated up, with significant opinions converging around two leading pitchers: Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. There is a fervent camp that strongly believes Wheeler should clinch the prestigious award.
Philadelphia Phillies' star Bryce Harper is among Wheeler's staunchest advocates. "Yeah, I mean, he's Cy Young. It's not even a question now, just the way he's kind of throwing, the way he's been doing it all year long. He deserves it -- he deserved it three years ago, or two years ago, too, and they robbed him of it, so he deserves it this year, no doubt," Harper asserted emphatically, voicing what many Phillies fans feel.
Wheeler's recent performance has certainly bolstered his Cy Young candidacy. His outing against the Milwaukee Brewers was emblematic of his season's consistency and brilliance. Over seven innings, Wheeler surrendered just one run on four hits while striking out six of the 24 batters he faced. This level of dominance has been commonplace for Wheeler, as reflected in his impressive 2.56 ERA.
Wheeler's metrics place him prominently among the league's elite. He ranks second in the National League in innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. This blend of durability and effectiveness has been pivotal for the Phillies, particularly given the injuries and inconsistencies that have plagued the team's rotation.
It's not just teammates singing Wheeler's praises. Sports analyst Matt Snyder also supports his Cy Young bid, noting, "He's the ace of the best team in the league and has helped hold that rotation up through injuries and inconsistency here in the last two months."
While Wheeler's case is compelling, his path to the Cy Young Award is not without formidable competition. Chris Sale from the Atlanta Braves has also put together an outstanding season. Sale boasts a lower ERA and a higher WAR than Wheeler, underscoring his own excellence on the mound. However, Wheeler has logged 14 more innings than Sale, highlighting the Phillies' ace's superior endurance and resilience over the long haul of the season.
This year marks Wheeler's second time finishing in the top five of Cy Young voting, a testament to his sustained excellence. In 2021, Wheeler narrowly missed out on the award, losing to Corbin Burnes by a mere 10 points. The sting of that close call adds another layer of motivation for Wheeler and his supporters this season.
Wheeler's tenacity, durability, and skill have indeed made him the cornerstone of the Phillies' pitching staff. His ability to consistently deliver quality starts has been crucial in keeping the team competitive amid various challenges. This combination of individual brilliance and team impact is what makes him such a strong contender for the Cy Young Award.
The final decision on the Cy Young Award will undoubtedly consider all these factors, weighing the impressive credentials of both Wheeler and Sale. However, for many, including Bryce Harper and Matt Snyder, Wheeler's contributions to the Phillies and his exceptional performance this season make a compelling case that this could finally be his year to take home the Cy Young Award.