The debate surrounding the National League Cy Young Award is heating up, and one of the most vocal advocates is none other than Bryce Harper. Harper has thrown his full support behind his teammate, Zack Wheeler, asserting that Wheeler's performance this season makes him the undeniable choice for the prestigious award.
Wheeler's Stellar Season
This season, Zack Wheeler has been nothing short of remarkable. In a recent outing against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wheeler pitched seven innings, giving up just one run on four hits. He struck out six of the 24 batters he faced, further solidifying his reputation as one of the league's premier pitchers. His earned run average (ERA) has impressively dipped to 2.56.
Wheeler's stats don't just stop at his ERA. He ranks second in the National League in innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. These metrics underscore his durability and consistency on the mound.
Head-to-Head with Chris Sale
However, the race for the Cy Young Award is far from a one-horse race. Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves has also made a strong case for the award. Sale boasts a lower ERA and a higher WAR than Wheeler, making him a formidable competitor. Despite these statistics, Wheeler has thrown 14 more frames than Sale, an indication of his exceptional endurance and reliability.
The competition is fierce, but Wheeler's supporters believe that his overall contributions to the Phillies' rotation make him the more deserving candidate. Harper did not mince words in his praise for 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," Harper stated emphatically.
Past Near-Misses
This year marks Wheeler's second time finishing in the top five of Cy Young voting. In 2021, he narrowly missed winning the award, losing to Corbin Burnes by just 10 points. This narrow miss has only fueled Wheeler's determination and performance, as evidenced by his current season.
Support from Analysts
Sports analyst Matt Snyder echoed Harper's sentiments, praising Wheeler's resilience and skill. "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.
Wheeler's role as the ace of the Phillies has been pivotal. Despite the team's injury woes and inconsistent performances, Wheeler has been the cornerstone holding the rotation together. His resilience, durability, and skill on the mound have not gone unnoticed.
A Closer Look at the Contenders
As the 2023 National League Cy Young Award race narrows down to two primary contenders, Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler, the debate continues to intensify. Sale's impressive ERA and WAR make a compelling case for his candidacy. However, Wheeler's broader contributions to his team's success, his superior number of innings pitched, and his continued excellence in the face of adversity could tip the scales in his favor.
In the end, the decision will come down to how voters value these differing aspects of pitching excellence. Will they prioritize Sale's stellar ERA and WAR, or will they recognize Wheeler's durability, broader contributions, and ability to shine under pressure?
One thing is clear: Zack Wheeler has emerged as a premier pitcher in the National League, and his bid for the Cy Young Award is backed by compelling statistics and vocal support from both teammates and analysts. Whether or not he takes home the award this year, Wheeler's performance has undoubtedly cemented his place among the elite pitchers in the league.