Zack Wheeler's gem Thursday may seem like an isolated event since it was his first win in nine starts, but really, he's looked like a different pitcher for three in a row now.
The first one was "bad" in the sense that he gave up five earned runs, but with five strikeouts to two walks in six innings, that start began this stint of improved control. In his last three starts, Wheeler has 21 strikeouts to only three walks in 19 innings.
In his first eight starts, he had 41 strikeouts to a whopping 24 walks in 43 2/3 innings, which had a lot to do with his 4.53 ERA and, of course, his 1.60 WHIP during that stretch. It's not like he was getting beat on home runs or anything. He just couldn't find the strike zone.
His ability is evident in the way he lights up the radar gun. If he can just stop shooting himself in the foot, he could emerge as a high-end Fantasy option. While these last three starts aren't the final verdict for him, they're step in the right direction, which makes him once again a must-own in all leagues.