The MLB season just kicked off its second half, and while the Mets and Phillies got things going, everyone else hits the field this Friday. But here's the wild part: You literally cannot bet on the guy currently leading the majors in wins to actually finish the season on top. We're talking about Milwaukee Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby, who's racked up an insane 12 victories in 45 appearances. That's not just a good number; it's a big-league record for a reliever heading into the All-Star break.
Ashby's Unstoppable Run and the History Books
Seriously, 12 wins as a reliever? That's bananas. Ashby has been the ultimate "win vulture" this season, snagging decisions like crazy. He's got one more win than a trio of starting pitchers: Philly's Cristopher Sanchez, Cincy's Chase Burns, and Boston's Sonny Gray. And here's the kicker: it's not even a surprise that DraftKings isn't letting you bet on Ashby for the overall wins leader. Imagine trying to price out a bunch of relievers for that prop. It makes sense, even if it feels a little unfair for a guy making history. To put Ashby's run into perspective, no pitcher in MLB history with at least 80% of their appearances in relief has ever led the league in wins. The closest we've seen was Ernie Broglio back in 1960, who tied for the league lead with 21 wins, but he made 24 starts along with 28 relief outings. The all-time record for a pure reliever? That belongs to Elroy Face, who went 18-1 in 57 relief appearances in 1959. Even the Brewers' own reliever record is 14 wins, set by Jim Slaton in '83. Ashby is knocking on the door of franchise history already, and we're only just into the second half.Who Actually *Can* Win the Wins Title?
So, if not Ashby, who's the smart money on? Cristopher Sanchez is the favorite at +400, but his start this weekend is getting skipped for rest. Sonny Gray is at +700, though there's talk he might be traded, and his turn is also being skipped. Brewers' NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski sits at +750, and Phillies' Zack Wheeler is at +900. Both are also skipping turns this weekend. It's pretty clear we're not seeing a 20-win pitcher this season, which kinda tells you how this year is shaking out. Remember, Tarik Skubal was the preseason favorite for wins, and Sanchez was right behind him. It's all gone a little sideways. But let's not forget about the strikeout leaders. Jacob Misiorowski is absolutely dealing, coming out of the break with 167 strikeouts. That's a huge 19 K's ahead of second-place Dylan Cease, who punched out three batters in the All-Star game. "The Miz" is a massive favorite at -550 for the strikeout title, and honestly, with that kind of lead, it's hard to argue. This whole setup with Ashby is wild, showcasing a unique historical run even if the betting markets can't quite handle it. It's a second half that's already throwing curveballs, and you gotta love it.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.