Zack Wheeler has lived up to the expectations of being a top-10 draft pick ever since joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020. Wheeler had his ups and downs in his five-year career with the New York Mets, including having to miss both the 2015 and 2016 seasons following Tommy John surgery.
Wheeler signed a five-year, $118 million contract with the Phillies before the shortened 2020 season. He posted a career-best 2.92 ERA after never having it below 3.30 in the previous five seasons. He’s been among the league’s best starting pitchers ever since.
Phillies’ Cy Young candidate gives the perfect answer you’d expect in a tight race
Wheeler is having arguably the best season of his 10-year career in 2024. The 34-year-old has a 2.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and a .196 batting average against. Those are all career bests for the Phillies’ ace. The right-hander is one win shy of tying his most wins in a season that he set in 2021 with 14 wins.
The regular season is coming to an end, so that means it’s time to take a look at the award races. Detroit Tigers left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal is running away with the American League Cy Young Award race, but the National League Cy Young Award race is coming down to two divisional foes.
Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Chris Sale is locked in a tight race with Wheeler for the NL Cy Young. Sale is the betting favorite as of now, but Wheeler isn’t too far behind. With the Major League Baseball season winding down, Wheeler needs to continue his dominance in his remaining starts to have a chance at the first Cy Young Award of his career.
“It’s just one of those things you come into the season and that’s one of your personal goals, is to win that,” Wheeler said about the tight Cy Young race after his most recent start. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with personal goals.”
Wheeler went on to say that if he’s accomplishing his personal goals, then that means he’s helping the team win games. He’s doing just that with 13 wins this season which is just three wins fewer than the most by any pitcher this year.
Wheeler looking to finally earn the Cy Young award
This isn’t the first time Wheeler has been in a tight race for the Cy Young Award. The veteran finished second in voting in 2021 behind Corbin Burnes who was with the Milwaukee Brewers at the time. Wheeler also received votes in 2020 and 2023 which shows how dominant he’s been for the Phillies since putting on the red pinstripes.
Wheeler should take the mound five more times during the regular season. Sale, his top competitor for the award, is 16-3 with a 2.46 ERA. Sale’s ERA, win-loss record and strikeout total are slightly better than Wheeler’s. Wheeler has a slightly better WHIP and batting average against, and he’s started one more game than Sale.
The NL Cy Young Award race is going to come down to the wire between two very deserving candidates. Wheeler hopes to add to his career accolades with the prestigious award.