Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL Cy Young Candidates Through June

By Ron Juckett

Jun 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches to Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches to Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

BEST OF THE REST

As we head towards the All-Star break, seven pitchers have a realistic chance of winning the Cy Young. Here are those just falling outside the top five.

— Another injury has Washington Nationals fans wondering how much Stephen Strasburg has left as the Nats lock down a playoff trip. Back in the rotation, Strasburg still has yet to lose this year, now 11-0 with an ERA of 2.71. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds before his pitch count hit 109. Safe to say his health and march towards a Cy Young is fine.

— Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta dropped three of his last six decisions and to seventh in our rankings. Although the rest of the NL is relieved to know he is human, there has to be some concern in Chicago. Maybe after a 9-0 start with a WHIP under 1.00 he is returning to earth. Still on pace to win 24 and strikeout 230, the added rest this month should help him as the season heats up.

— One of the big surprises in the first half of 2016 is the Miami Marlins. As they make a bid for a Wild Card, Jose Fernandez is getting the chance to show why he is among the league’s best. With only four starts in June, he whiffed 42 in 27 innings while walking 5 and allowing 14 hits. A 10-game winner in the first half, he will get meaningful starts the rest of the way. After getting lit up in his lone July start, and with his previous innings high of 172.2, fatigue is something to watch for.

— Do not let Jacob deGrom’s 4-4 record fool you. As the Mets offense struggled in June, his three losses came with an ERA of 2.45 and a WHIP of 1.030. Striking out 10.9 per nine, he has re-established the dominance found in April and has taken the slack given by the unusual year Matt Harvey is having. Still in control of their own destiny, a huge second half can propel deGrom much higher on the list.

— In his second NL season, Jon Lester is having a great year for the Cubs. Forget the shellacking the Mets gave him over the weekend, he gave Chicago six great starts in June including a complete game. Posting an ERA of 1.41 and winning all four decisions, his WHIP for the month was 0.784 as he fanned 44 in 44.2 frames. A 9-4 first half does not make him an instant contender, but if he can deliver a sub-2.50 ERA and a WHIP around 1.000 the rest of the way, he has a chance.

Next: A Brave Ace

Home/MLB Awards