The debate surrounding the National League Cy Young Award is intensifying as opinions pour in from across the baseball community. One vocal advocate is Bryce Harper, who has firmly thrown his support behind his Philadelphia Phillies teammate, Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler’s latest outing against the Milwaukee Brewers only strengthens his case for the prestigious award. He dominated on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on four hits. Six of the 24 Brewers he faced fell victim to his impressive strikeouts. This performance has dipped his ERA to an admirable 2.56.
Wheeler stands out not just from his recent game, but consistently over the season. He is currently positioned second in the National League for innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. His ability to eat innings and deliver quality starts remains unmatched by most pitchers.
Competition from Chris Sale
However, Wheeler faces stiff competition from Atlanta Braves’ Chris Sale. Sale has not only a lower ERA but also a higher WAR compared to Wheeler, making him a formidable contender. Despite this, Wheeler has the edge in terms of innings pitched, throwing 14 more frames than Sale.
This season marks Wheeler’s second time finishing in the top five of Cy Young voting, adding weight to the argument for his candidacy. Back in 2021, Wheeler narrowly missed out on the award, finishing just 10 points behind Corbin Burnes. This year, he intends to go one step further.
Support from Bryce Harper and Analysts
Harper’s endorsement of Wheeler is unequivocal. “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.
Harper is not alone in his sentiments. Sports analyst Matt Snyder also praised Wheeler's impact on the Phillies. “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 commented. The acknowledgment of Wheeler's resilience, durability, and skill highlights his crucial role in keeping the Phillies’ rotation steady amid adversities.
The Cy Young race is clearly between Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler, and both have valid claims. Sale’s numbers are impressive, but Wheeler’s ability to handle more innings and perform consistently under pressure adds a significant value to his candidacy. Moreover, Wheeler being the linchpin of the Phillies’ rotation showcases his importance beyond just statistics.
The Final Race
As the season draws to a close, the spotlight will be on every performance leading up to the final decision. While quantitative metrics like ERA and WAR will certainly play a role, the qualitative impact of Wheeler's consistency and reliability, especially through challenging times, cannot be ignored. The narrative around the Cy Young Award often extends beyond numbers, taking into account the intangible qualities that define the elite pitchers of the game.
Wheeler’s journey this season and his previous accolade bring his perseverance to the forefront. His determination to clinch the Cy Young Award after narrowly missing it in 2021 is a story of resilience and tenacity. Bryce Harper’s criticism of the past award decision underscores a sentiment shared by many within the Phillies organization and their fans.
With just weeks left in the regular season, the performances from both Sale and Wheeler will be scrutinized closely. Each pitch, each strikeout, and each inning will carry weight in determining who walks away with the 2023 National League Cy Young Award.
Indeed, as fans, analysts, and players like Bryce Harper voice their opinions, one thing is certain – this competition is far from over, and the baseball world waits in anticipation to see who will emerge as the National League’s premier pitcher.