The 2023 National League Cy Young Award race is heating up, and opinions are pouring in from all angles. Among the most vocal advocates is Bryce Harper, who believes his teammate Zack Wheeler deserves the prestigious award. Harper's confidence in Wheeler is unwavering, saying, "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."
Wheeler has indeed made a compelling case for himself this season. His recent performance against the Milwaukee Brewers was nothing short of stellar. Over seven innings, Wheeler allowed just one run on four hits and struck out six of the 24 batters he faced. This outing helped lower his ERA to an impressive 2.56.
Statistical Dominance
Wheeler's statistics place him among the elite pitchers in the National League. He is second in innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. These metrics underline his exceptional durability and consistency on the mound throughout the season.
However, the competition is fierce. Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves is also in contention for the Cy Young Award. Sale has posted a lower ERA and a higher WAR than Wheeler. Despite this, Wheeler has logged 14 more innings than Sale, demonstrating his resilience and capacity to shoulder a heavier workload for his team.
Sustained Excellence
This year marks the second time Wheeler has finished in the top five of Cy Young voting. He came agonizingly close in 2021, finishing just 10 points behind winner Corbin Burnes. This history adds another layer of intrigue to the current season's race, as Wheeler aims to finally clinch the award that has narrowly eluded him in the past.
Sports analyst Matt Snyder is another supporter of Wheeler's candidacy. He emphasizes the critical role Wheeler has played for the Phillies, stating, "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." This sentiment reflects Wheeler's importance to the team's success, particularly during challenging times.
Leadership and Reliability
Wheeler's value extends beyond his statistical achievements. He is regarded as the ace of the Phillies' pitching staff, a group that has faced its share of injuries and inconsistencies this season. His leadership and reliability on the mound have been pivotal in maintaining the Phillies' rotation.
His ability to consistently deliver quality starts and pitch deep into games has been a cornerstone of the team's success. Wheeler's resilience, skill, and durability have not gone unnoticed by his peers and analysts alike. His performance this season has made a significant impact, solidifying his status as one of the premier pitchers in the league.
As the season progresses and the Cy Young Award voting draws nearer, the debate between Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler will continue to intensify. Both pitchers have made strong cases, and their impressive performances have captivated baseball fans and analysts.
For Wheeler, this year's campaign is about more than just individual accolades. It's about recognition for his sustained excellence and his crucial role in the Phillies' success. Whether he ultimately earns the Cy Young Award remains to be seen, but there is no denying that Zack Wheeler has firmly established himself among the elite pitchers in Major League Baseball.