The National League Cy Young Award race is heating up, with opinions pouring in about who deserves the prestigious honor. Amidst the debates, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper is vocally advocating for his teammate, Zack Wheeler, to take home the award.
Wheeler's Performance
Wheeler's recent outing against the Milwaukee Brewers was a testament to his capability on the mound. He pitched seven solid innings, conceding only one run on four hits. He faced 24 batters in total and struck out six. This stellar performance has seen his ERA drop to an impressive 2.56.
Currently, Wheeler ranks second in the National League in key pitching metrics, including innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. Such statistics support the narrative of Wheeler's brilliance this season, showcasing his durability and skill.
Competition from Chris Sale
Despite Wheeler's compelling case, he faces stiff competition from Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. Sale boasts a lower ERA and higher WAR than Wheeler, demonstrating his exceptional performance this season. However, Wheeler has logged 14 more innings than Sale, underlining his resilience and consistency over the long haul.
This season is not the first time Wheeler has been in the Cy Young conversation. He finished among the top five in Cy Young voting for the second time this year. Notably, in 2021, Wheeler narrowly missed out on the award, losing to Corbin Burnes by just 10 points.
Endorsements and Support
Harper, a well-respected voice in the Phillies' clubhouse and beyond, emphatically supports Wheeler's candidacy. "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 passionately stated.
Sports analyst Matt Snyder echoed Harper's sentiments, emphasizing Wheeler's critical role in the Phillies' success. "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 pointed out.
The Ace of the Phillies
Wheeler has indeed been the linchpin of the Phillies' rotation, especially amid the adversity of injuries and inconsistencies that have plagued the team. His resilience, durability, and skill have been pivotal in anchoring the Phillies' pitching staff. This season has seen Wheeler step up as the definitive ace, consistently delivering performances that keep his team in contention.
The 2023 National League Cy Young Award race is thus shaping up to be a thrilling contest. While both Wheeler and Sale present compelling cases, the final decision will rest on the voters. Wheeler's impressive stats, coupled with strong endorsements from his peers and analysts, could tip the scales in his favor.
Whether Wheeler will finally secure the Cy Young Award he narrowly missed in 2021 remains to be seen. However, there's no denying the impact he's made this season and the critical role he's played in the Phillies' success.