The AL Cy Young Race: CC Sabatha, Justin Verlander, and Jered Weaver
By Tim Ryan
Verlander has been nothing short of dominant, leading the majors in innings pitched, WHIP, and strikeouts. Sabathia is second in innings, 22nd in WHIP and 3rd in strikeouts, and Weaver is 3rd in both innings and WHIP, and 11th in strikeouts. But CC has the highest WAR of any pitcher in baseball at 5.8, with Verlander (5.5) and Weaver (5.1) close behind. The last five pitchers to have won the award have been either 1st or 2nd in WAR.
So if CC adds to that by arousing middle-aged sportswriters with something like 24 wins while continuing to log a ton of innings — ESPN’s Chris Singleton already inspired a few cringes today stating that CC’s 16 wins puts him as the favorite to win it — it’s probably his to lose despite the universal adoration of what Verlander has done thus far. Not to mention the fire.
AL Cy Young race shaping up to be great [ESPN]
Photo via Getty