MLB: Four Cy Young Dark Horses in the American League
By Travis Koch
2016 saw a surprise Cy Young winner in the American League. Perhaps 2017 will offer more of the same. There are a number of emerging arms in the American League that could threaten the award for the first time.
Opening day is now just moments away. The MLB season opens Sunday night with a National League rivalry. The defending champion Chicago Cubs will take on the St. Louis Cardinals. A star studded pitching matchup of Jon Lester vs. Carlos Martinez should get the year off to an entertaining start.
Above all, opening day is attributed to aces. Each team tosses their most talented arm, or at least their most depended upon arm. Hitters are often still finding their timing at the season’s start; it’s really a time for the fresh arms to show off.
In honor of an ace-filled opening day, a Cy Young outlook is on the way. Predictions can bore us with the same cliché names, but maybe we’ll see another unexpected Cy Young winner in 2017. No one foresaw the emergence of Rick Porcello last season, at least not to a Cy Young level. Of course Max Scherzer was no surprise on the National League side. The pool of Cy Young candidates is shallow as usual in the NL. Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Madison Bumgarner, or a Cubs pitcher should take the title.
The American League Cy Young race should be much more exciting. Yes, Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Corey Kluber, Yu Darvish, and Felix Hernandez are the headliners. However, there’s just as good of a chance a lesser considered AL pitcher sneaks the award this season.