Phillies ace Zack Wheeler put on a dazzling performance on Friday night in Miami, allowing only one run and two hits in six solid innings. While Wheeler could have continued pitching into the seventh inning and beyond, his team’s offense exploded, making the decision to pull him back a clear one.
Wheeler’s consistency in 2024 has been nothing short of phenomenal. In the final year of his five-year, $118 million contract with the Phillies, which has proven to be one of the most successful free-agent deals in franchise history, he recently agreed to a massive three-year extension worth $126 million that will keep him in Philadelphia through the 2027 season.
Considered by many metrics as the best starting pitcher in baseball since joining the Phillies in 2020, Wheeler has also excelled in postseason performances. Despite his remarkable achievements, the one accolade that has eluded him is the Cy Young Award, a recognition he openly strives for.
Wheeler’s chances of finally winning the Cy Young seemed promising this season, but a strong competitor in Chris Sale emerged, making the race for the award intense. Sale and Wheeler are considered two of the most decorated pitchers without a Cy Young trophy to date, but only one of them will claim it this season.
Looking at the numbers, Sale currently holds the edge in various statistical categories. While Wheeler has had another outstanding season, Sale’s exceptional performance has put him ahead in the Cy Young race.
| Stat | Zack Wheeler (28 GS) | Chris Sale (26 GS) |
| ERA | 2.59 | 2.46 |
| WHIP | 0.96 | 1.01 |
| IP | 173.2 | 160.2 |
| FIP | 3.19 | 2.02 |
| K/BB | 4.13 | 6.06 |
| AVG | .193 | .218 |
| OBP | .255 | .267 |
| SLG | .325 | .318 |
| fWAR | 4.7 | 6.1 |
Sale’s strong performance, coupled with the Phillies’ early dominance in the National League East, has put Wheeler at a slight disadvantage in the Cy Young race. Despite Wheeler’s stellar track record and postseason success, Sale’s superior numbers make him the frontrunner.
While the outcome of the Cy Young Award remains uncertain, Wheeler’s legacy as one of the game’s most consistent pitchers is undeniable. Whether or not he secures the accolade, his contributions to the Phillies and potential postseason success stand as testaments to his greatness on the mound.
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