Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay are all top contenders for the Cy Young.
Here’s a look at the contenders for the NL Cy Young in what could possibly be the closest awards race of the year.
Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks (21-4, 2.88 ERA, 222 IP, 198 K) Arizona’s 26-year-old ace was a huge reason why they surprised everybody and won the NL West this year. The once highly touted former Yankee prospect broke out in 2010, and then backed that up with an even better 2011. The league co-leader in wins, was also fifth in innings pitched, ERA+, .BAA, and H/9, and was ranked in the Top 10 in WHIP, ERA, Ks, and K:BB ratio as well.
Ian Kennedy (AP Photo/Morry Gash).
Cole Hamels, Phillies (14-9, 2.79 ERA, 216 IP, 194 K) Hard to believe that a team’s number three starter could be a possible Cy Young Award candidate, but Hamels is exactly that. The former World Series MVP allowed more than four runs in a start just twice all year, his first start of the year, and his first start after the all-star break. Overall in his 216 innings pitched (9th in NL), he ranked 2nd in WHIP, .BAA, and H/9, Top 5 in BB/9, CG, ERA+, and K:BB ratio, and finished in the Top 10 in ERA, and Wins too.
Cole Hamels (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson).
The Phillies prize off-season acquisition last winter, and former Cy Young award winner, didn’t disappoint in 2011. Hoping to make it to the World Series for the third year in a row, Lee ranked in the Top 5 in almost every major statistical category, and threw more shutouts than any other pitcher in baseball.
Cliff Lee (AP Photo/Matt Slocum).
Became just the fifth pitcher to win the NL triple crown (Wins, ERA, K’s) since 1966, and led the league in H/9, WHIP, and .BAA while being in the Top 5 in several other categories too. Despite all that, he may not even win. Kershaw’s home park Dodger Stadium is known as a pitchers park, and if you look at his home/away splits, his numbers at home are quite a bit better. His ERA is more than a full run lower, his .BAA is more than 30 points lower, and his WHIP is nearly 20 points lower. It’ll be interesting to see what the voters do here.
Clayton Kershaw (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo).
Already one of only five pitchers to ever win a Cy Young in both leagues, he may end up adding a third to his mantle this week. Unlike Kershaw, Halladay’s home park is actually a hitters park, and despite that, his home/away splits were pretty similar. Doc threw more innings than Kershaw and in fewer starts, led NL pitchers in WAR, BB/9, CG, ERA+, and K:BB ratio, while ranking in the Top 3-5 in nearly everything else. He’s my pick in a very close race that could go either way.
Roy Halladay (AP Photo/Matt Slocum).
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