2010 AL Cy Young contenders (4)
Leaders W-L CG IP BB K ERA WHIP BAA WAR comments
---------------- ----- -- ----- -- --- ---- ---- ---- --- --------------------------------------
Felix Hernandez 12-11 5 233.2 64 222 2.35 1.07 .216 6.1 Last start: W vs Rangers; 1 ER in 8 IP
David Price 17-6 2 193.2 75 172 2.79 1.19 .219 4.0 Last start: ND vs Angels; 3 ER in 7 IP
Jered Weaver 13-11 0 210.2 53 220 2.99 1.07 .219 5.6 Last start: W vs Rangers; 3 ER in 6.2 IP
CC Sabathia 20-6 2 224.0 69 183 3.05 1.18 .238 4.4 Last start: W at Orioles; 3 ER in 7 IP
Jon Lester 18-8 2 197.0 75 212 3.06 1.17 .218 5.6 7 shutout innings in W vs Blue Jays
Cliff Lee 12-8 7 200.1 16 174 3.19 1.00 .240 6.5 Last start: W at Mariners; 1 ER in 8 IP
Not quite W-L CG IP BB K ERA WHIP BAA WAR comments
---------------- ----- -- ----- -- --- ---- ---- ---- --- --------------------------------------
Trevor Cahill 17-7 1 185.2 60 109 2.81 1.07 .210 2.2 Last start: W vs ChiSox; 2 ER in 8 IP
Also-ran W-L CG IP BB K ERA WHIP BAA WAR comments
---------------- ----- -- ----- -- --- ---- ---- ---- --- --------------------------------------
Clay Buchholz 16-7 1 165.2 66 115 2.39 1.23 .228 3.4 Last start: ND vs Orioles; 0 ER in 6 IP
C.J. Wilson 14-7 2 188.0 87 156 3.21 1.24 .214 4.2 Last start: L at Mariners; 2 ER in 8 IP
Francisco Liriano drops from contention despite being named as his team's #1 playoff starter.
Felix got almost everything he needed to re-establish clear leadership in the AL Cy Young race, but his 7-inning no-hitter was broken up by a dinger to start the 8th against the Rangers, so he merely elevated his shaky lead for the award. He still outpitched fellow contender C.J. Wilson in that game for the win, however. Jered Weaver also beat the Rangers this past week, somewhat less impressively.
Despite excellent numbers and jaw-dropping stuff, I think Felix needs at least one more win -- and preferably three -- against no further losses for serious consideration.
Meanwhile, Jon Lester and Cliff Lee are making furious end-of-season rushes to stay in the race. Both may require other contenders to falter, though if Jon Lester gets 20 wins and finishes with an ERA under 2.90 or so, this should enhance his shot significantly.
Many East Coast writers seem to regard CC Sabathia as the front-runner, but while he's having another very good year (with a nice W-L record), he isn't really putting up Cy Young numbers. Many congratulations to him for becoming the first AL "Black Ace" in 20 years, however, and best wishes to David Price to become the next -- though he would probably need to beat Sabathia tomorrow to do it.
The only reason I still include Jered Weaver in the "Leaders" category is that aside from his W-L record, his numbers are all better than Sabathia's (but worse than Felix'). |
