Wheeler Rising: The 2023 National League Cy Young Debate
The 2023 race for the National League Cy Young Award has garnered significant attention, with strong opinions swirling around two prime candidates: Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. The annual award, which recognizes the league’s most outstanding pitcher, appears to be a two-man showdown this year.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has voiced unequivocal support for his teammate, Zack 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.
Wheeler’s case is compelling. Recently, in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Wheeler delivered a standout performance, pitching seven innings while surrendering just one run on four hits. He struck out six of the 24 batters he faced, driving his ERA down to an impressive 2.56. Wheeler's endurance and consistency on the mound have placed him second in the National League in several critical categories: innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins.
Supporting this perspective, sports analyst Matt Snyder noted, "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 and durability have been particularly beneficial to the Phillies, especially given the team’s bouts with injuries and inconsistent performances.
However, Wheeler isn't without formidable competition. Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves has also made a strong case for the Cy Young Award. Sale's ERA is lower than Wheeler's, and his WAR is higher, showcasing his dominance on the mound. Yet, it’s Wheeler's stamina that stands out—he has logged 14 more innings than Sale this season, demonstrating a capacity for sustained excellence over a grueling schedule.
This year marks an important milestone for Wheeler as it’s his second finish in the top five of Cy Young voting. In 2021, he narrowly missed clinching the award, losing to Corbin Burnes by a mere 10 points. This history adds a layer of urgency and perhaps a touch of sentimentality to his current bid for the accolade.
Wheeler's status as the ace pitcher for the Phillies, especially during turbulent times, can't be overstated. His ability to consistently deliver and stabilize the rotation underscores his critical role on the team. When Harper praises Wheeler’s near-miss for the Cy Young Award in 2021 as a robbery, it highlights the deep respect and recognition Wheeler commands within his team and around the league.
Looking deeper into the Cy Young context, the recognition is not just about raw stats but the narrative around a pitcher's season—how they rise to the occasion, support their team, and overcome challenges. Wheeler's blend of skill, resilience, and durability paints a picture of a pitcher who embodies these qualities.
As the season draws to a close, the debate between Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler continues to heat up. Both pitchers have compelling cases filled with dominant pitching performances, critical moments, and the ability to lift their teams. With Wheeler’s vocal support from his peers and analysts alike, alongside his remarkable metrics and performance under pressure, he stands out as a strong candidate to finally secure the Cy Young Award he narrowly missed two years ago.