You want to know why strikeouts are viewed in a higher regard? They are a sure out for the pitcher, he does not have to rely on his defense.
Palmer had to lean more on his defense than Ryan did. While there is something to be said about pitching to contact, it's clear Ryan did more for his own cause than Palmer for his.
If he put up an additional 10% of the workload and still maintained very similar rate stats, a la CC last season and Ryan in 1973? Yes, I do give him credit for that.