Throughout the years, ERA, wins, and strikeouts have been the signature sign of an ace pitcher, especially an ERA below 3.00, 10 or more wins, and 200 or more strikeouts. This season, a good number of National League pitchers are on pace to achieve the latter figure of 200 punchouts.
Six National League Pitchers on Pace to Reach 200 Strikeouts in 2024
Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease will almost certainly achieve this feat in 2024. There is only the question of whether or not he will be able to reach 240-50 strikeouts before the season ends. Over the last few years, Cease has become one of the best strikeout pitchers in baseball. This is on track to be the fourth year in a row where he strikes out at least 214 batters. In 2021, Cease cut down 226 batters with a 3.91 ERA.
Cease struck out 226 again the following season and finished with an excellent 2.20 ERA. He also finished second in Cy Young voting. In 2023, Cease struck out again over 200, yet had an unsightly 4.58 ERA. This season started off nicely for him, with a 3.42 ERA by the end of May. After a bit of a skid, Cease’s ERA rose to 4.24 at the beginning of July. However, he has since been on a tear, which includes several double-digit strikeout games and a no-hitter. Cease has been impressive this season and the best pitcher on the San Diego Padres staff. With a solid end to the season, Cease may be able to contend for the NL Cy Young Award.
Dylan Cease, Elevated 97mph ⛽️ pic.twitter.com/siOUTBpXQy
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 23, 2024
Chris Sale
So far, Chris Sale is almost certainly the favorite for the NL Cy Young. Amid many injuries this season for the Atlanta Braves, Sale has helped the team massively. Sale, who had not been fully healthy since 2019, has tallied 191 strikeouts in his first 24 starts with Atlanta. Between 2013-19, Sale had at least 208 strikeouts, including one incredible 300 strikeout season. Finally, after many years of being unhealthy with the Bosten Red Sox, Sale has had the opportunity to have another remarkable season, and he has undoubtedly done that for Atlanta.
Zack Wheeler
Zack Wheeler has been one of the most effective starters in the National League over the last few years. Although he has not had as many 200-strikeout seasons as Cease and Sale, Wheeler is on pace for his third 200 K season in the last five years. Wheeler has consistently managed a low ERA with the Phillies and a high number of strikeouts. In five seasons with the Phillies, four seasons have seen Wheeler pitch to an ERA below 3.00.
Michael King
Michael King, who came over from the New York Yankees as a part of the massive Juan Soto deal, has been amazing thus far. For the Padres, King has been one of the most valuable players on the team. King has managed a 3.14 ERA and has notched 174 strikeouts. Before 2024, King was mainly used as an effective reliever, and he only had 19 starts in 5 seasons with the Yankees. King has been one of the many surprises for the Padres, who need certain players amidst a tight NL Wild Card race.
Sonny Gray
This season has been both good and bad for Sonny Gray. He is on pace for his first 200 K season since 2019, during which he played for the Cincinnati Reds. Gray has struck out an impressive number of batters this season, already at 175. However, Gray has been unimpressive with his ERA, which sits at 4.07 this season.
Gray has been a major part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ struggles this season. The Cards have stumbled recently and fallen out of NL Wild Card contention. Also, despite his high strikeout total, Gray has fallen from any Cy Young contention. Gray’s ERA in July was 6.75, and in August thus far, he has struggled with a 5.10 ERA. Although he will likely reach the 200 milestone, it has also been a season of disappointment for the Cardinals and Gray, who had a fantastic 2.79 ERA last season.
Freddy Peralta
Freddy Peralta is on pace for his second 200-strikeout season in a row. Peralta has become one of the best pitchers in the NL lately. If he maintains his current pace, he will finish with just over 200 strikeouts. Peralta has been the most valuable pitcher on the Milwaukee Brewers staff.
Originally, the Brewers were not considered contenders for NL Central. However, they have surprised the baseball world by taking complete control of the division. The Brewers are now 10 games ahead of the second-place Chicago Cubs and 10 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals, who have underperformed. Peralta has become one of the most valuable players on the team, as he continues to pitch consistently well. Peralta has also managed a solid 3.86 ERA. Although not necessarily an ERA of an ace, he continues to pitch well.
All of these National League pitchers would love to hit the 200-strikeout mark to finish their season, among other milestones. Their ability to strike out batters at a high clip has helped their respective teams in the process.
Photo Credit: © Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports
