Zac Gallen wins National League Pitcher of the Month for August 2022
The Diamondbacks expected a big year from Zac Gallen, and he delivered in the month of August. Gallen made 6 starts in August and this is his stat line for the month.
6 GS, 5-0, 0.68 ERA, 40 IP, 44 K, 10 BB, 0.75 WHIP, .405 Opp. OPS
Those numbers are flat out ridiculous, as batters simply were overwhelmed against Gallen's vast repertoire of pitches. This run includes a 34.1 consecutive innings scoreless streak over his final 5 starts. The streak is second in franchise history behind Brandon Webb's streak of 42 innings in July-August 2007. As a result of his streak, Gallen's ERA has plummeted down to 2.53. That mark ranks third amongst all qualified NL starting pitchers, behind only the Marlins' Sandy Alcántara (2.13) and Dodgers' Julio Urias (2.32).
As a result of his stellar pitching, Gallen was awarded with National League Pitcher of the Month for August 2022. He credits having a terrific outfield defense behind him, allowing him to attack the strike zone more aggressively.
Gallen is the second straight Diamondback to win Pitcher of the Month, with Merrill Kelly receiving the same honors for the month of July. Both pitchers have emerged as a potential 1-2 punch at the top of the Diamondbacks rotation, highlighted by Jack in last night's game recap. The last time two Diamondback pitchers won back-to-back months goes back to 2002, when Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling won the award for April and May respectively. When asked about that, Gallen joked that when Kelly won the award for July that he needed one.
Gallen talked to the media about winning the award, which you can listen to down below.