The award is on Wheeler’s bucket list, below the World Series trophy that has eluded the Phillies since 2008. And there isn’t a more important player in that pursuit.

Zack Wheeler finished second in voting for the NL Cy Young Award, which was won by Chris Sale of the Braves on Wednesday night.

The Phillies’ ace is a runner-up for a second time, falling short against Sale, who won the pitching triple crown in 2024.

The Phillies stalwart ace fell just short of becoming the first Phillie to win since the legendary Roy Halladay.

Zack Wheeler was named a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award along with Paul Skenes of the Pirates and Chris Sale of the Braves.

When Tarik Skubal settled permanently into the Detroit Tigers’ rotation in 2021, Chris Sale was recovering from Tommy John surgery, just beginning a three-year stint in which he’d make just 11 starts and see his career viability wither.

The Tigers' Tarik Skubal was the unanimous choice to win the Cy Young Award in the American League, while Braves pitcher Chris Sale won in the National League.

Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers culminated dominant seasons by winning the Cy Young Awards of their respective leagues, as announced Wednesday night by Major League Baseball.