The debate over this year's National League Cy Young Award has fans and analysts engrossed, with strong opinions coming in from all sides. Among the most vocal supporters is Bryce Harper, who has thrown his weight behind his Philadelphia Phillies teammate, Zack Wheeler. According to Harper, Wheeler’s performance has left no room for doubt.
"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 emphatically stated.
Wheeler's recent outing against the Milwaukee Brewers certainly reaffirmed Harper’s stance. The ace right-hander delivered seven strong innings, conceding just one run on four hits. He struck out six of the 24 batters he faced, further solidifying his case for the prestigious award. Wheeler’s ERA took a dip to a stellar 2.56 following this performance.
One of the League's Best
As for the stats, Wheeler is firmly among the elite. He ranks second in the National League in several key categories: innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. This season marks yet another year where Wheeler has demonstrated his grit and consistency on the mound.
However, the race for the Cy Young Award is not unchallenged. Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves poses significant competition. Sale boasts a lower ERA and a higher WAR compared to Wheeler. But Wheeler holds an edge in durability, having thrown 14 more innings than his rival.
The Road to Redemption
Wheeler's path to potential Cy Young glory has been a long one. In 2021, Wheeler narrowly missed winning the award, losing out to Corbin Burnes by a mere 10 points. This year could be Wheeler’s chance to set the record straight.
Sports analyst Matt Snyder also supports Wheeler's quest for the Cy Young. "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 highlighted.
A Pillar of Strength
Wheeler's value to the Phillies cannot be overstated. Amid a season plagued by injuries and inconsistencies, he has been the steadfast anchor of their rotation. Wheeler's resilience, durability, and skill have set a high bar, making him indispensable to his team's success.
In conclusion, the 2023 National League Cy Young Award race appears to be a two-man competition between Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale. While Sale's impressive metrics argue in his favor, Wheeler's blend of performance, stamina, and leadership might just give him the edge. As the season draws to a close, baseball aficionados remain keenly attentive, ready to see if Wheeler will indeed capture the accolade that has so narrowly eluded him in the past.