As the National League Cy Young Award discussions heat up, opinions are swirling around two standout pitchers: Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale. The race between these two elite pitchers is tightening, with both exhibiting exceptional performances throughout the season.
Wheeler's Stellar Season
Bryce Harper, one of the most prominent voices in baseball, is a staunch advocate for his teammate, Zack Wheeler. Harper's support for Wheeler is unwavering, emphasizing, "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 put together a compelling campaign. In a notable recent performance against the Milwaukee Brewers, he tossed seven impressive innings, surrendering only one run on four hits. With six strikeouts against 24 batters, Wheeler showcased his dominant form, dropping his ERA to a remarkable 2.56.
Currently, Wheeler is positioned second in the National League in several critical pitching categories: innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. This year marks his second time finishing in the top five of Cy Young voting, a testament to his consistency and resilience on the mound.
Sale's Competitive Edge
However, the race is far from decided, with Chris Sale from the Atlanta Braves emerging as a formidable competitor. Sale boasts a lower ERA and a higher WAR than Wheeler, adding layers of complexity to the Cy Young conversation. Despite this, Wheeler edges Sale in one crucial area: innings pitched, with Wheeler logging 14 more frames than Sale this season.
This discrepancy highlights Wheeler’s durability and his significant role in keeping the Phillies' rotation afloat. Matt Snyder, a respected sports analyst, sums it up: "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." Wheeler's resilience, durability, and skill have not gone unnoticed, making him a strong candidate for the Cy Young Award.
A Historic Close Call
Zack Wheeler's near miss in the 2021 Cy Young voting remains a poignant chapter in his career. He narrowly lost to Corbin Burnes by just 10 points, a decision that left many, including Harper, feeling that Wheeler was robbed. This year's performance offers Wheeler a chance to rectify that near miss and solidify his place among the league's elite pitchers.
As the season progresses, both Wheeler and Sale will likely have more opportunities to sway voters with their performances. The Phillies' ace continues to demonstrate why he's considered one of the best, while Sale's statistical edge brings a compelling argument to the table.
No matter how this Cy Young race concludes, it is clear that both Wheeler and Sale embody the excellence and tenacity that define baseball's greatest pitchers. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as these two pitchers make their final cases for one of baseball's most prestigious awards.