Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper has weighed in on the Cy Young Award race, choosing between his teammate Zack Wheeler and Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale.
The Cy Young Award, presented to the top pitchers in both the National and American Leagues, sees Wheeler and Sale as the leading contenders.
After the Phillies secured a 5-1 win against the Milwaukee Brewers, Harper openly praised Wheeler, expressing his belief that Wheeler should win the award.
In an interview following the game, Harper confidently stated that Wheeler deserves the Cy Young, referencing a previous year when he felt Wheeler was unjustly overlooked. He acknowledged that fans in Atlanta likely feel the same way about Sale, but reiterated his belief that Wheeler is the best pitcher this season.
At the time of Harper’s comments, the Phillies had improved to a 91-60 record, giving them a solid five-game lead over the Brewers and a three-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. With only 11 games left in the regular season, the Phillies are in a strong position for a top-two seed, which would give them a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Wheeler has been dominant this season, posting a 2.56 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and a 16-6 record over 30 starts. Despite these impressive stats, Sale currently holds a statistical edge with a 17-3 record, a 2.35 ERA, and a league-leading 219 strikeouts. For Wheeler to surpass Sale in the Cy Young race, he would need to maintain his current form while Sale falters slightly down the stretch.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson also emphasized Wheeler’s consistency and impact on the team, praising his ability to dominate opposing batters.
With the playoffs approaching, the Phillies are in a strong position, holding a 9-2 record against both the Brewers and Dodgers. They also boast a 23-10 record against other National League teams currently in playoff contention. Harper’s confidence in Wheeler reflects the team’s belief that they can make a deep postseason run.
