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The Philadelphia Phillies are in first place in the National League East as the All-Star Break approaches. They have missed Bryce Harper for extended periods, seen JT Realmuto's offense decline, and need a closer. But their starting pitching has lifted them to a playoff opportunity in a crowded National League. Zack Wheeler has been sensational for the Phillies and is on pace to join Pedro Martinez and Tom Seaver in Cy Young Award history.
“Wheeler leads Skenes (and the entire NL) in WHIP, strikeouts, strikeout rate, and opponent average,” The Athletic's Jayson Stark wrote. “The Phillies’ ace also leads Skenes in innings per start, pitches per start, quality starts, and super-quality starts (at least seven innings, no more than two earned runs allowed).
“So what does that tell us? Well, since baseball instituted a Cy Young Award in each league in 1967, here are all the qualifying pitchers who had an ERA as low as Wheeler’s (2.17) and led their league in WHIP, strikeouts, strikeout rate and opponent average: Pedro Martinez, 2000 — won Cy Young, Pedro Martinez, 1999 — won Cy Young, Tom Seaver, 1973 — won Cy Young,” Stark continued.
Martinez and Seaver are both first-ballot Hall-of-Famers with multiple Cy Young Awards. Wheeler does not have any yet, but has finished second in Cy Young voting twice. Paul Skenes is also putting together a fantastic season and could steal another Cy Young from Wheeler.
Stark gave out his mid-season awards, giving the Cy Young to Wheeler in a close race. Wheeler will be in a playoff race, while Skenes will not, which could help his numbers in the second half. The Cy Young race should run through the Keystone State in the National League. Meanwhile, Tarik Skubal is in pole position to repeat as the American League Cy Young winner.
The Phillies end the first half against the San Diego Padres this weekend.
