Poll: National League’s best first-half pitcher

Jul 11, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; The National League emblem on the on deck batting circle during batting practice prior to a game between the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

As we prep for the return of real baseball games today, let’s look over a quintet of pitchers that I believe were the National League’s best over the first half of the season.

I don’t think we see a team’s record enter as a discussion piece when we engage in a top pitcher conversation. I dare say that a team’s record and position has little, if any, influence over such matters. The MVP voting seems to create the squabble or two.

I checked out some of the stats as part of determining my final five. Now, it’s up to you to determine the top NL pitcher over the season’s first half. The poll is located on the last page of this post. If did not catch the NL MVP poll and/or any of the American League polls, there are links to those located underneath the poll for this post.

Nominees are listed in alphabetical order.

May 3, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

1. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds
2014 stats: 10-6, 2.13 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 0.891 WHIP, 141 SO, 143.2 IP

Back and healthy, Cueto appears that he did not miss a beat after missing a decent portion of last season. Last season, Mat Latos steeped in and assumed the team’s #1 rotation spot in Cueto’s absence. This season, the roles were reversed due Latos beginning the season on the DL.

The rankings:

ERA: 3rd
FIP: 10th
WHIP: 2nd
SO: 2nd
SO/9: 7th (8.8)
BB/9: 20th (2.2)
SO/BB: 12th (4.03)
BAA: 1st (.179)

Of course, the question will become should the Reds start to limit Cueto’s innings. He leads the National League in IP, and we know of the health issues surrounding Cueto. He didn’t only miss time last year, but has missed starts in previous seasons as well.

If Cueto continues at this pace, he’ll make his $10M 2014 salary look like a bargain as well as the Reds decision to pick up a $10M option for next season a rather easy choice.

May 23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
2014 stats: 11-2, 1.78 ERA, 1.60 FIP, 0.830 WHIP, 126 SO, 96.1 IP

Kershaw’s first-half performance is becoming a habit. Dodgers fans should be glad of this development, but surely not the rest of the National League.

The rankings:

ERA: 1st
FIP: 1st
WHIP: 1st
SO: T6th
SO/9: 1st (11.8)
BB/9: 1st (1.2)
SO/BB: 1st (9.69)
BAA: 2nd (.191)

How sick are those ranks? And he’s hurled around 30 less innings than all the others on this list. That could be a sticking point for some. Obviously it isn’t for me. With any top list of National League pitchers, it practically a must to have Kershaw on it.

Kershaw already owns a pair of Cy Young awards, and a chance for a repeat is well within his grasp. The last NL pitcher to repeat as the CY winner was Tim Lincecum (2008-09).

Jul 2, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Julio Teheran (49) pitches against the New York Mets during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

4. Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
2014 stats: 9-6, 2.71 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.042 WHIP, 116 SO, 136.1 IP

I was surprised I had Teheran among my top 5…at first. In some stats, he stacks up well. In others, not as high as you’d like from a guy among this list. But something about Teheran tells me he belongs here. Could I be wrong? Sure, and it wouldn’t be the first time.

The rankings:

ERA: 7th
FIP: 23rd
WHIP: 6th
SO: 9th
SO/9: 21st (7.7)
BB/9: 17th (2.0)
SO/BB: 16th (3.87)
BAA: 7th (.224)

Last season, Teheran had a good rookie campaign (14-8, 3.20 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 1.174 WHIP). He’s turned up his performance this season, He’s had to with the Braves minus the likes of Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and for the time being, Gavin Floyd. I think he’s handled it quite well.

Jun 10, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

5. Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
2014 stats: 12-4, 1.83 ERA, 2.52 FIP, 0.913 WHIP, 115 SO, 138.0 IP

Unfortunately, most of the recent chatter concerning Wainwright evolved around his comments from a post-performance media gathering after he pitched in the All-Star Game. It should be more about what he’s done on the mound.

The rankings:

ERA: 2nd
FIP: 2nd
WHIP: 3rd
SO: 10th
SO/9: 25th (7.5)
BB/9: 11th (1.8)
SO/BB: 9th (4.26)
BAA: 3rd (.201)

He was the starting pitcher for the National League in this year’s All-Star Game for a reason. Not all of it was related to the fact Wainwright is a member of Mike Matheny’s starting rotation. He owns the numbers to back Matheny’s selection, Cardinal or not.

AM I alone in think that another great Wainwright season will be overshadowed? If not for Kershaw, former teammate Chris Carpenter and the aforementioned Lincecum, I wonder how many CY awards he would have. Thinking about two.

There you have my five.

If you believe a player should have been considered, leave his name within the comments section of this post. Also add why you think he should be included. As a twist, say who you would drop from my final five. I know of a couple of names that are likely to be mentioned.

National League: MVP
American League: MVP | Pitcher | Rookie | Comeback