MLB Predictions 2014: National League CY Young Award
By Hayden Kane
The National League Cy Young award has started to feel like it is Clayton Kershaw‘s to lose. The Los Angeles Dodgers ace is only 26 years old and he has won the award two of the last three years (finishing second in 2012). But with a back injury that has forced Kershaw to start the season on the disabled list, the door might be cracked for another pitcher to win the award for the top pitcher in the National League.
The Contenders: Clayton Kershaw, Jose Fernandez
Kershaw is the best pitcher in baseball when he is right. Furthermore, he has a good chance to be the best pitcher on the best team in baseball in 2014. You can pick your stat to celebrate Kershaw’s greatness: he has had a sub-3.00 ERA every season since 2009, has struck out 200 or more hitters the last four seasons, and has a career record of 78-46. To state this one last time, the only thing stopping Kershaw is if this back injury is more serious.
As for Fernandez, age 21, he could win if Kershaw’s numbers are down for whatever reason. As a rookie the Miami Marlins ace was historically great in 2013: 12-6, 2.19 ERA, and 187 strikeouts in 172.2 innings pitched. With a full season ahead of him, he could win the Cy Young award thanks in part to the precedent set by Felix Hernandez when he won the award on a lousy Seattle Mariners team.
In the Conversation: Madison Bumgarner, Stephen Strasburg, Adam Wainwright
All three are aces on quality teams. Strasburg in particular could rise to the top of the conversation if he puts together a full season on a division winning Washington Nationals team. It would be a disservice not to mention Wainwright, who was 19-9 last season and has finished in the top three of the Cy Young voting in three of the last four seasons.
The Winner: Clayton Kershaw
It’s close between him and Fernandez, though, and if Kershaw’s injury lingers that will change things significantly. But for now, bet on Kershaw as the Dodgers take the league by storm in 2014.