MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL CY candidates through August

Sep 13, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) walks off the mound after pitching during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The American League Cy Young Award race has been one of baseball’s less competitive in baseball this year, but several pitchers have still put together strong campaigns and figure to garner some votes. Few big names are in the mix this year, though some could jump into the competition with stand-out performances down the stretch.

The National League race has some much more jaw-dropping statistics to look at, but there’s plenty of competition in the American League, and it’s at least a three-horse race entering the final month of play. Multiple other aces could work themselves into the conversation down the stretch as well. But that being said, let’s take a look at the top five candidates to win the American League Cy Young Award through August.

Honorable mentions: Scott Kazmir, Corey Kluber, Yovani Gallardo

Next: No. 5: Chris Sale

Jul 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher

(49) delivers a pitch during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

No. 5: Chris Sale

He doesn’t have the overwhelming win totals, an eye-popping ERA or standout-type innings on the year, but Sale has continued to do in 2015 what he’s done from Day 1: get strikeouts. Sale leads the American League in every strikeout category, with 239 total K’s, a 12.1 K/9 ratio and a 6.64 K/BB ratio. He also leads the AL in FIP (2.33), and tied an MLB record by striking out 10 or more batters in eight straight starts.

The performance was good enough to put him in his fourth-straight All-Star game, and will likely place him in the Top 6 in AL Cy Young Award voting for the fourth straight season. However, he’ll likely just miss out once again.

Next: No. 4: David Price

Aug 14, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher

(14) delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

No. 4: David Price

Perhaps the most viable candidate that could jump into the mix in September is Toronto’s David Price. The Vanderbilt product has been a workhorse and an ace on the mound with both his clubs this season, going 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA and an 8.5 K/9 rate across 146.0 innings (21 starts) with the Detroit Tigers this year. But he’s been even more dominant since joining the Blue Jays.

Toronto is 25-7 since acquiring the former Cy Young winner, and while he’s pitched in just six of those games, Price has led the effort to fix a Blue Jays pitching staff that has held its offense back for years. And he’s done just that. In his six starts, Price has gone 4-1 with a 2.28 ERA and even more impressive .097 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 across 43.1 innings. Fangraphs has Price tied for fourth in WAR amongst pitchers at 5.2, though that number could climb quick if he continues the trend he’s been on since joining Toronto.

It’s surprising that Price hasn’t garnered more Cy Young attention, though some of that likely comes from his pitching for an underachieving Tigers club for most of the season. If the Blue Jays ultimately make the playoffs and Price can pitch at his best through the end of the month, he could slingshot himself ahead of candidates that are currently higher on this list.

Next: No. 3: Sonny Gray

July 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher

(54) pitches the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3: Sonny Gray

Gray’s season has gone much better than that of his club, though as a result his wins column (12 wins on the year) won’t be what’s pushing him to the front of the conversation. Luckily for Gray, wins are arguably the most useless player-assigned statistic in baseball, because he has a lot else going for him.

The first-time All-Star is posting the lowest strikeout rate of his young career this season, but he’s putting that O.co Coliseum effect to good use. Gray is second in the American League this season in BABIP, with opponents hitting just .243 on balls put in play against the Vanderbilt product. He’s also logged 186.2 innings, allowed a very impressive low 1.002 WHIP, logged three complete games and also thrown two shutouts.

Missing a few starts in the middle of the year didn’t help the 25-year-old’s case. However, another couple of wins on the stat sheet or another head-turning outing in September could be what secures Gray the necessary votes to take home his first career Cy Young.

Next: No. 2: Chris Archer

Aug 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher

(22) delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

No. 2: Chris Archer

The Tampa Bay Rays are quietly still very much in the hunt for the postseason, and Chris Archer is quietly putting together an outstanding season in South Florida. In his third full season, the former top prospect took a trip to his first All-Star Game this year, and is currently second in the American League in strikeout rate (11.09 K/9).

Archer’s been the face of one of baseball’s most subtly stellar pitching staffs in 2015, and for good reason. In addition to the phenomenal strikeout numbers, Archer’s pitched to a strong 2.78 ERA and posted an equally strong 1.039 WHIP in 181.0 innings. He’s also second in the American League in FIP (2.57), third amongst AL pitchers in WAR (5.3) according to Fangraphs, and has a complete-game shutout under his belt in 2015.

Archer’s numbers speak for themselves, and he has a very legitimate shot at taking the cake in the American League this season. However, one candidate does pose a much more serious threat to Archer than any other.

Next: No. 1: Dallas Keuchel