Zack Wheeler has turned in the season of his career in 2024. When the Phillies needed him to be the horse of the staff, Wheeler led the way from wire to wire with a division title as the result. Wheeler is the definition of a true ace and has a compelling argument for the hardware to go along with it, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
Red October is just days away in South Philadelphia, and Wheeler is set to get the ball in Game 1 of the NLDS against the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets.
Zack Wheeler's Cy Young resume is impressively deserving of the award
Wheeler was one of the most consistent pitchers in 2024. In 32 starts, Wheeler finished with a 16-7 record, a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 200 innings pitched. The ERA is a career-best and another 200+ strikeout season marks his third as a Phillie.
With another dominant year by one of the most underrated pitchers in MLB, where does Wheeler line up for the Cy Young Award? Well, it might be another tough year for the Cy Young race as Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale bounced back and had one of the best years of his career, winning the NL Triple Crown by leading the league in wins (18), strikeouts (255), and ERA (2.38).
With that being said, Wheeler's exceptional efforts certainly make a case for his consideration for the Cy Young Award. Even with Sale's Triple Crown, Wheeler led all of the following categories: WHIP (0.96), quality starts (26), opposing BA (.192), opposing OBP (.192), opposing OPS (.581), wOBA (.256). It's hard to argue with those numbers.
Zack Wheeler’s 2024 Cy Young Award Resume. pic.twitter.com/G7hVMIxMsh
— PhilliesNotes (@PhilliesNotes) September 29, 2024
Phillies two-time MVP Bryce Harper voiced his support of Wheeler.
“He’s a Cy Young, man,” Harper said earlier this month, per Zolecki. “I don’t think anybody in baseball is better than him at this point. I don’t think anybody is in the National League, either. The people down in Atlanta probably think the same thing about the guy throwing down there , but I thought got robbed of it three years ago. I believe he earned it this year.”
When reliability in starting pitching isn't a given anymore, Wheeler always found a way onto the field. Innings matter and it shows as Wheeler led Sale by 22 innings. Wheeler has a larger volume of work, and maybe the voters will look at Sale getting scratched in game 162 when their season was on the line as a deterrent.
There you go … does Sale’s unavailability down the stretch and Wheeler’s volume of work change any voter’s minds? https://t.co/UiVeESM2t3
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 30, 2024
Wheeler and Sale against the NL's best also proves that Wheeler is the better ace. In nine starts against the Dodgers, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Mets and Braves, Wheeler posted a stellar 1.55 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and 63 strikeouts to eight walks. Sale in nine starts against the Phillies, Dodgers, Brewers, Diamondbacks, Padres and Mets, posted a 2.44 ERA with 66 strikeouts and 14 walks.
The Triple Crown is an impressive feat for sure, but with Wheeler leading the league in a lot of other categories, it gives a full scope of the season. It isn't really a slam dunk anymore (subscription required), per Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Wheeler was only one strikeout behind for the league lead, and his bWAR was only 0.1 behind with 6.1.
Wheeler made it through unscathed in the regular season and has done enough to prove that he is deserving of the NL Cy Young Award. The numbers are there, the voters just have to be willing to see them.