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MLB: What Non-Contenders Can Look Forward to in September

By Greg Goldstein

Sep 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves defeated the Phillies, 6-4 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves defeated the Phillies, 6-4 in 10 innings. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and the AL Cy Young

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chris Sale had already established himself as one of, if not the best starting pitcher in the American League. In just six seasons in MLB, the 27-year-old had already finished in the top five of the Cy Young vote on three different occasions. His dominant pitching arsenal and unorthodox throwing motion have made him almost completely unhittable and he just may be entering his prime.

Even after a somewhat down year from him in 2015, the left-hander eclipsed the 10.0 strikeout mark per nine innings in four out of six seasons and his WHIP has never been over 1.20 at the end of a season. He’s been one of the best in the AL again this season, albeit in a very different fashion.

No longer is Sale throwing in the mid-high 90s early in the game. Instead, he holds back the heater in order to maintain himself through the grind of the regular season. He does have a career-low with 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings in 2016 and his FIP sits at 3.41, even though his ERA is 3.07. Nevertheless, a couple of excellent starts in September can make him a serious contender for the AL Cy Young in what is a down year for the prestigious award.

Everyone expected Sale to compete for this honor, but what wasn’t expected is that his fellow staff member would make an intriguing case as well.

Jose Quintana was always a solid MLB starting pitcher, but he has been held back in the past because his pure stuff is not really superior. His fastball sits at 92-93 and his numbers have never reached a level that jumps off the page. This season has absolutely been his best for the 27-year-old.

In some respects he has been better than Sale, pitching to a lower ERA (3.05) and FIP (3.40). However, his strikeout numbers are not as good as his counterpart. Quintana pitches his best when he is controlling his off-speed pitches and painting the corners. If he can do that a couple more times in September, he could make a case for the top pitcher in the American League. It will be fun to watch if both lefties can assert themselves in a wide open race.

Next: Minnesota Twins

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