After once leading the National League field by a large margin, Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen now finds himself ranked fourth in the NL Cy Young odds.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gallen’s recent decline in the odds can be attributed to a lackluster performance against the Orioles on Sunday. During this game, he was pulled from the mound during the 6th inning, having conceded five earned runs on eight hits.
The Diamondbacks ultimately ended up losing 8-5, marking their sixth loss in the last eight games.
In his most recent two starts, Gallen has pitched a total of 10.2 innings, during which he has allowed 11 earned runs, 17 hits, and issued four walks.
Due to this string of subpar performances, Gallen’s ERA has surged to 3.48, placing him fifth in the National League rankings.
With just one month remaining in the season, the 28-year-old has given up 30 additional hits and 12 more earned runs compared to the previous season, this is despite pitching 10 fewer innings.
Currently, ahead of Zac in the Cy Young odds are Blake Snell, Spencer Strider, and Justin Steele.
Gallen is expected to have approximately five more starts this season, providing him with an opportunity to climb back up in the odds.
Nevertheless, what’s more crucial is his team’s need for him to perform at a Cy Young level, especially given the tight competition in the current NL Wild Card race.
The Diamondbacks find themselves in the midst of a grueling 17-game, 17-day stretch, and the outcome of this demanding period could very well decide whether they secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2017.
