MLB: Top 5 AL Cy Young Contenders For June
By Ron Juckett
BEST OF THE REST
—Trevor Bauer continues to amaze. Now a full time starter for Cleveland, his 3.08 ERA was good for 6th in the AL at the end of the month and his 2.9 WAR was fifth. In June, Bauer ran the table going 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA in six starts. With a 7-2 mark this season in 12 starts, he even tossed his first complete game this year in June. He missed cracking the top five.
–As the New York Yankees continue to spin their wheels, Masahiro Tanaka’s weak June pushes him out of the top five. After two strong months, hitters finally pushed his WHIP above one to 1.061 (5th). Going 2-2 in June with an ERA of 4.12, Tanaka closes the first half with a 5-2 mark and an incredible 19 walks in 104.2 innings.
–If you are wondering how the Baltimore Orioles lead the AL East with only one consistent starter (Chris Tillman) look no further than closer Zach Britton. Leading the league with 23 saves, he has not allowed an earned run since April. With an ERA of 0.81, his BABIP is .230. Only 26 of the 124 batters facing him have reached base.
–A 4-1 June puts Corey Kluber on the list. Now leading the AL in WHIP at 0.976, his veteran arm is guiding Cleveland back to the playoffs. He went the distance twice in June and cut the number of hits allowed nearly in half from May. In 37 innings, he surrendered 19 hits, May’s 39.2 frames saw 37 hits. If there is a dark horse to take the award in the second half, watch Kluber.
–The emergence of Michael Fulmer’s rookie season with the Detroit Tigers has reached storybook status. In five June starts, he posted an ERA of 0.61 with a WHIP of 0.910. As the Tigers claw themselves toward the Wild Card, Fulmer is a big reason. His WAR of 3.2 as of June 30 is third in the AL. His ERA of 2.17 would lead the league if he had enough innings to qualify. He can with the ERA crown if he throws 162 innings, something he will need to do if Detroit contends down the stretch.
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