While many assume that the National League Cy Young Award will go to an Atlanta Brave in 2024, an ace from the Philadelphia Phillies may beg to differ.
There’s no doubt that Braves hurler Chris Sale is currently the frontrunner for the award. Entering Thursday, Sale was 14-3 on the year with a 2.58 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings. He’s been a stabilizing force for an Atlanta team that has suffered so many injuries.
Sale’s return to excellence after a handful of years plagued by injuries of his own is one of the most empowering narratives from the 2024 season, and no one would be surprised to see him take home his first Cy Young.
One should not crown Sale prematurely, however, because Zack Wheeler of the Phillies is knocking on the door with a month remaining in the season.
In an article released Wednesday for Bleacher Report, Kerry Miller asserted that while Sale is still the favorite for the Cy Young, Wheeler is not out of the race just yet.
“There’s still a chance Zack Wheeler will overtake Sale for NL Cy Young, but it should be the Atlanta ace’s trophy to lose,” Miller said.
Entering Thursday, Wheeler was 12-6 on the year with a 2.74 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 160 2/3 innings.
If Wheeler delivers masterful performances in September and Sale falters, the race could get very interesting.
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