MLB Cy Young races heat up

The Cy Young award. It's given to the best pitcher in each league and this season is providing excellent races in both leagues. Let's look first to the American League.

A lot of people have already given it to the Kansas City Royals Zack Greinke. I wouldn't be so quick to give the award to him. There are at least four others that deserve mention. While Greinke is still considered a favorite, the others will have a say.

Let's start with the Royals right hander. He's started out hot from the beginning of the season. It looks like he's tailed off, but he really hasn't. Before the All-Star game, Greinke was 10-5 with a 2.12 ERA. Since then, he's only 3-3 but his ERA is only 2.31. Another impressive feat is that Greinke is second in the AL in strikeouts. He's come out of nowhere this year and made us pay attention to Kansas City. If Greinke were on a contending team, he might have a better record, and have ore exposure. His 2009 totals so far are 13-8 with an ERA of 2.19.

Greinke's main competition may be Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners. King Felix is 15-5 with a 2.52 ERA. He finds himself in a similar situation as Greinke, but the M's have been a little better team. Hernandez may also fall into the ever debatable "West Coast bias" syndrome, but with this kid's talent, I don't buy it. He's simply electric when he's on his game. He's a serious contender for the trophy.

Another one to watch is 2003 winner Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays. The main stat that grabs you is that Halladay has hurled seven complete games. In this day and age of specialized pitchers, that shows how competitive and valuable Halladay is. He's also in the top 5 in all the other main stats (wins, ERA, innings, and strikeouts). Being a previous winner does lend some credence to Halladay's candidacy.

We can't forget Detroit Tigers Justin Verlander. Verlander is second in wins with 16 and leads the AL in strikeouts with 239. He also sits 7th in ERA. He is a true ace and has made every scheduled start in 2009. A healthy Verlander is the main reason the Tigers are in position to take the AL Central title. Plus, being able to throw the "ol' number 1" at 100mph in the late innings can help.

Finally, I submit CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees. Sabathia is also a previous winner having taken the pirze in 2007 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. CC got a Brink's truck to play in the Bronx and even after getting off to a slow start, he's solidified himself as a serious candidate. He leads the AL in wins (17) and second in innings pitched (213.1). He's had the best second half of any pitcher going 9-1 with a 2.75 ERA. Having all that offense behind him doesn't hurt, but some view that as a negative. They shouldn't because he can carry a team and has proven time and time again.

The tough part is picking just one. So many choices and there's really no wrong order.
1. Greinke
2. Hernandez
3. Sabathia
4. Halladay
5. Verlander

The National League is pretty much looked at as only three pitchers in the mix. Last year's winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants and a pair of St. Louis Cardinals, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter are all worthy of receiving the award.

Lincecum is as impressive as they come. He's in the top 5 in every major category: wins (14-4th), strikeouts (244-1st), ERA (2.30-1st), and innings (201.1-3rd). He's also 1st in complete games with four. If Lincecum can win back-to-back Cy Young's, I imagine his agent will get him a hefty raise. And it would be worth every cent.

Adam Wainwright is the "newcomer" to the scene. He possesses equally impressive stats. He leads the NL in wins (18) and innings (212), fifth in strikeouts (183), and third in ERA (2.59). In 2006, Wainwright was the Cards postseason closer. With his 18 wins, he might be the NL's only 20 game winner. If he reaches that number, he could walk away with the gold.

But don't discount Cards teammate Chris Carpenter. He's a shoo-in for Comeback Player of the Year (with the Colorado Rockies Todd Helton right behind). He missed the better part of two months at the beginning of the season and Cardinal fans will tell you it was worth the wait. Carpenter has been nothing but sterling in '09. He's second in wins (16) and ERA (2.45), but that stat that's ore impressive is that he's thrown three complete games. Why's that impressive? Considering all the shoulder problems he's had, to even be able to get on the mound is impressive. Oh, and he won the award in 2005.

I saw a poll that had Lincecum as the front runner. I think he'll win only because the Cards votes will most likely be split between Wainwright and Carpenter. But that's not how I would vote.
1. Wainwright
2. Lincecum
3. Carpenter

And I reserve the right to change my NL voting.