HUGE REACTION: MLB Chiefs Brutal Reaction Spark Serious Concern as MLB Inisder Names Phillies leftyMidseaso CY Young Winner

Ranger Suárez, the left-handed starter for the Philadelphia Phillies, may have been the most unexpected pitcher in the National League.

His impressive first half is getting a lot of attention, notably from MLB expert Bob Nightengale of USA Today. In his Sunday piece, he presented midseason accolades, including his National League Cy Young to the 28-year-old Venezuela native.

In comparison to expectations, Suárez’s performance this season — on a team containing Cy Young contenders Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola — is simply astounding.

He was one of two NL pitchers with at least ten victories entering July, along with Atlanta’s Chris Sale. He was 10-2 entering his 17th start of the season versus Miami.

Suárez has won ten games before. He finished 10-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts for the Phillies during their 2022 World Series triumph. He pitched a career-high 155.1 innings that season, striking out 129 and walking 58.

He had a difficult start on Sunday, which culminated in a no-decision as Philadelphia rallied to defeat Miami 7-6. In 4.2 innings, he allowed six earned runs and nine hits while also walking two.

After Sunday’s start, he stayed 10-2, although his ERA increased to 2.27 with 99 strikeouts and 21 walks. By the end of the season, he’s likely to have surpassed his career best of 129 strikeouts, which was set in 2022.

Expectations were high for both Wheeler, a previous Cy Young finalist, and Nola, who received a hefty seven-year contract in the summer. That is one of the reasons why Nightengale chose him.

“You know your team is pretty darn good when Suarez’s closest competition for the Cy Young may be his own teammates in Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola,” according to Nightengale.

Wheeler and Nola have been impressive. Wheeler is 9-4 with a 2.73 ERA after starting the season losing games in which he pitched brilliantly but the Phillies couldn’t generate offence. Nola is 9-4 with a 3.43 ERA.

Suárez will not become a free agency until after the 2025 season. However, he might cash in with a lucrative arbitration agreement this offseason.

He has also yet to be named an All-Star, but that will likely change next month in Arlington, Texas. The pitching staffs are chosen by player voting and by MLB leadership, and it will be difficult for any of them to overlook Suárez’s outstanding season. He is anticipated to be selected along with at least two other Phillies pitchers.

Meanwhile, Suárez could be travelling with a large Phillies group. Bryce Harper is already the starting first baseman, due to fan votes.

Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto, Brandon Marsh, and Nick Castellanos are the other six Phillies finalists for All-Star Game starting. Voting begins on Sunday and runs through Wednesday, with the starters being announced on Wednesday.