MLB: Top Five AL Cy Young Contenders For May
By Ron Juckett
5. MASAHIRO TANAKA, NEW YORK YANKEES
3-0 W/L, 2.89 ERA, 144 ERA+, 0.964 WHIP, 2.2 WAR
Who would have thought ditching the fastball would make anyone a better pitcher?
Do not let his record fool you, Masahiro Tanaka is having a great 2016. His WHIP trails only Chris Sale in the AL. Fourth in WAR and ninth in ERA, the Yankees have found their ace as they try to get in the playoff chase.
With switching to a breaking ball to save an injured forearm, Tanaka is fooling hitters by changing speeds effectively. Sure, he can rear back and throw a fastball, but he is not relying on it.
With five starts in May, Tanaka went 2-0 posting an ERA of 2.91. His numbers on the road are outstanding. Tanaka’s WHIP is 0.832 with an ERA of 1.34 in five starts.
His strikeouts-per-9 dipped from 8.0 in April to 6.9 in May without his OBP changing at all. Hitters reached at a .250 clip both months.
If the Yankees could give him a run or two of support, he would be right there with Sale as the top contender. Although wins are overrated, having three decisions from ten starts holds him back a touch.
Next: An Ace North of the Border