Zack

Wheeler

The eight-time All-Star finally nets his first career Cy Young Award, receiving 26 of 30 first-place votes, after finishing among the top six in balloting a whopping seven times since 2012. The 35-year-old southpaw finished last season with a league-best 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225/39 K/BB ratio across 177 2/3 innings (29 starts) in his remarkable Braves debut. Despite his omnipresent durability concerns, Sale will enter next season as a consensus top 10 starting pitcher in fantasy drafts. Phillies ace Zack Wheeler received the other four first-place votes in balloting to come in second, while Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes followed with a distant third-place finish.

It might finally be happening for Sale, who finally managed to stay healthy last year in his Braves debut, compiling a league-best 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 225/39 K/BB ratio across 177 2/3 innings (29 starts). The eight-time All-Star selection has six top-five finishes in Cy Young Award balloting, but has never taken home the hardware. Skenes, who is also a finalist for the NL Rookie of the Year Award, seems like a bit of a long shot here. Wheeler remains the model of consistency as Philadelphia’s ace after wrapping up last season with a career-best 2.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 224/52 K/BB ratio across 200 innings (32 starts).

What exactly constitutes an emergency is subjective, as one could argue that “lose and you don’t get to play anymore” would qualify. Wheeler will hope he can get the Game 5 start with Ranger Suarez on the bump for the Phillies. While Wheeler won’t be available, Cristopher Sanchez — the Game 2 starter — is expected to be an option for the must-win game.

Sensational. The only issue for Wheeler was control, as he walked four and hit another. To say those free passes didn’t affect him is quite the understatement, and he generated 30 swings-and-misses in this contest. It’s no surprise to see Wheeler dominant, but it doesn’t make this any less impressive. He likely will be back for either Game 5 of the NLDS — possibly Game 4 if it’s a must-win — or Game 1 of the NLCS if possible.

Wheeler gave up three hits, walked two and struck out 11. He finishes the year 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 224 strikeouts in 200 innings. Wheeler’s xFIP was 3.30, but he has made a habit of out-pitching his xFIP since coming to Philadelphia in 2020. He’s a bonafide fantasy ace.

Wheeler struck out eight and walked one. He’s now at 193 2/3 innings with a 213/50 K/BB and 19 HR allowed this season. Last season, he pitched 192 innings with a 212/39 K/BB and 20 HR allowed. Still, this year he’s sporting a 2.56 ERA, compared to a 3.61 mark last year. His FIP has been right around 3.15 both years. Wheeler will finish up his regular season next weekend against the Nationals.

Chris Sale probably has NL Cy Young honors wrapped up, but Wheeler is going to have to finish in the top three. This is his ninth straight quality start, and it makes him 16-6 with a 2.56 ERA. His also reached 200 strikeouts tonight, hitting that mark for the third time in four seasons.

Wheeler gave up four hits, walked three and struck out nine. The win was his 15th of the season. Wheeler is the definition of a fantasy ace. He has a 2.60 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 199 strikeouts in 179 2/3 innings this year. The 34-year-old right-hander is set to face the Brewers on the road next week.

Facing a Triple-A offense, Wheeler struck out seven and walked one. He’s turned in seven straight quality starts, and he’s still very much in the Cy Young mix at 14-6 with a 2.59 ERA for the season. He’s set to face Florida’s other team next time out.

Wheeler has now not allowed a run in back-to-back starts. The right-hander allowed just four hits — none of them for extra bases — and he didn’t issue a walk. He’s good at this. Wheeler now has a 2.63 ERA and 183/45 K/BB over his 27 starts, and there’s a better than good chance those numbers will get better against the Marlins over the weekend.