The debate over who should take home the National League Cy Young Award this year has reached a fever pitch, and Bryce Harper is making a strong case for his Philadelphia Phillies teammate, Zack Wheeler. Harper, never one to mince words, has been vocal in his support, saying of Wheeler, "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."
The accolades for Wheeler are well-deserved, especially following his impressive outing against the Milwaukee Brewers. In that game, Wheeler pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits, and striking out six of the 24 batters he faced. This performance brought his ERA down to 2.56, a significant mark in his favor as he vies for the prestigious award.
Wheeler is not only showcasing exceptional skill on the mound, but he's also proving to be one of the most durable pitchers in the league. He ranks second in the National League in innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. His combined stats paint the picture of a pitcher who has been indispensable to his team this season.
Rivalry with Chris Sale
The stiffest competition for Wheeler comes from Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. Sale boasts both a lower ERA and a higher WAR than Wheeler, making for a compelling argument in his favor. However, Wheeler has thrown 14 more innings than Sale, demonstrating not just effectiveness but also endurance.
This isn't Wheeler's first brush with Cy Young contention. In 2021, he finished second in the voting, narrowly missing out on the award to Corbin Burnes by just 10 points. This year, Wheeler appears to be making an even stronger case for himself.
Sports analyst Matt Snyder has also weighed in, praising Wheeler's season-long performance. "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," Snyder noted. Indeed, Wheeler's capacity to remain a steady hand amid the Phillies' rotation troubles has endeared him to both fans and analysts alike.
Strengths on the Mound
Wheeler's resilience, durability, and skill on the mound are key selling points in his bid for the Cy Young Award. The Phillies' rotation has faced a gauntlet of injuries and inconsistent performances this year, yet Wheeler has been the rock keeping the team afloat. His ability to maintain top-tier performance levels, even as the team around him falters, underscores his value.
As the race tightens between Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler, the merits of both pitchers continue to be dissected. Sale's lower ERA and higher WAR might be advantages, but Wheeler's larger sample size of innings pitched and his crucial role in the Phillies' rotation can't be overlooked.
Wheeler's Journey
Wheeler's journey to potentially winning the Cy Young Award is a story of perseverance and excellence. He's proven himself time and again, whether by contending in 2021 or rising to the challenge this season. His supporters, including Harper and Snyder, see him as the backbone of a Phillies team that has faced more than its fair share of obstacles.
The 2023 National League Cy Young Award race is shaping up to be a dramatic showdown between Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler. As both pitchers continue to make their final cases through their performances on the mound, the baseball world watches closely, ready to see who will emerge as the victor.
Wheeler's steadiness, resilience, and skill have made him a leading contender, and according to Harper, it’s high time the talented pitcher receives the recognition he's more than earned. The end of the season will reveal whether Wheeler's efforts will be enough to finally earn him the coveted title of National League Cy Young Award winner.