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MLB Awards Watch: How real is Dallas Keuchel?

By Brad Rowland

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) rubs the baseball between pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) rubs the baseball between pitches against the Houston Astros in the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws the ball against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws the ball against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

  1. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – Things are going pretty well for Scherzer in his first year with the Nationals. The powerful right-hander is striking out more than 10 batters per 9 innings while limiting his walks to only 1.25 per 9, and stellar ratios (1.67 ERA, 2.03 FIP) are following suit. It isn’t a surprise to see Scherzer dominating, but for a rotation that shockingly has some issues right now, he has been the stronghold.
  2. A.J. Burnett, Pittsburgh Pirates – At the age of 38, A.J. Burnett is having arguably the best stretch of his career. Burnett sports a 1.37 ERA through nine starts and 59 innings, and he has trimmed his walk rate to just 2.75 per 9 innings this season. It must be noted that Burnett has a sky-high 88.8% strand rate at this moment, meaning that tougher days are likely ahead, but the veteran has been a fantastic story this season.
  3. Shelby Miller, Atlanta Braves – Miller and Burnett have been similar in both production and perceived “luck”, but in the case of the former Cardinals right-hander, many are taking this seriously. Miller is a former uber-prospect who fell on hard times in 2014, but the pairing with pitching coach Roger McDowell in Atlanta has gone quite well, and Miller’s 1.50 ERA through nine starts speaks for itself.

Next: AL Cy Young

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