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2019 MLB Season: September NL Cy Young race update

By Edward Lennon

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Chicago Cubs during a game at Citi Field on August 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Chicago Cubs during a game at Citi Field on August 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

As the 2019 MLB season winds down, the 2019 NL Cy Young Award race is heating up. The second half has been muddled with competitive pitching, clutch performances, and vast improvements.

Throughout the whole entire 2019 MLB season, the NL Cy Young was Hyun-Jin Ryu’s race to lose. Every start seemed to impress the one before. However, his second half has been defined after a tough August and a slow start to September, Ryu managed to improve the rest of the league’s chances.

It seemed like Ryu would be heading into free agency and the offseason with an NL Cy Young award on his shelf and ready to ink a lucrative deal. Even though Ryu’s contract is still imminent, the accolade is no longer a lock for the 32-year-old.

Now, there is a crowded pack of starters that are clawing at the hardware. Each only has about four or five starts left to make their case. The race is filled with veteran, well-paid starters, as well as having a few younger starters that are on the brink of their prime.

Here are the honorable mentions for the 2019 NL Cy Young Award.

Sonny Gray, SP, CIN

Returning to his first All-Star game since 2015, Sonny Gray has been pitching. at a whole new level in 2019.  In his first year with the Cincinnati Red, Gray is 10-6 with a 2.75 ERA through 28 starts.

He will be close to 200 strikeouts and will definitely finish in the top 10 in ERA in the NL. Currently, he has the worst batting average against of any starter in the NL. However, his main issue is. That he has allowed too many walks. The 29-year-old will definitely appear on ballots come this November.

Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD

Future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw continued to build his case this season. Through 25 starts he is 13-5, holding an ERA of 3.06. However, he missed a bulk of time earlier this year that will limit him to under 30 starts, 200 innings pitched and 200 strikeouts, which are normal Kershaw familiarities. He looks to lower his ERA to below three by the end of the season.

Of the seven-season Kershaw has appeared on Cy Young ballots, he has not finished worse than fifth place. This might be the year that changes.

Luis Castillo, SP, CIN

Luis Castillo reached career-best in just about every category in 2019. He is a part of a rotation with a lot of potential. In only his third season, Castillo reached the 200 strikeouts milestone.

He is currently fourth in the NL in wins with 14 and fifth in strikeouts. Through 29 starts, his ERA is 3.21 Even though there were times throughout the season, where Similar to Gray, he was in the top 10 for most talks in the NL.

Castillo was looking like he had a chance to win the award, he will not be victorious this season. His 2020 season is already looking bright and he is going to be a heavy contender to win Cy Young next season.

This race remains wide open and will most likely remain that wait for the rest of the season. Here is a prediction of the top five finalists for the 2019 MLB season’s NL Cy Young.

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