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MLB Awards Watch: Chris Archer makes the leap

By Brad Rowland

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer (22) waves off the trainer after being hit by a line drive in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chris Archer (22) waves off the trainer after being hit by a line drive in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) celebrates after recording a no hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 6 – 0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) celebrates after recording a no hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park. The Nationals won 6 – 0. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

  1. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – This is an absolute no-brainer. In fact, Scherzer has occupied the top spot throughout the season, and with this week’s near-perfect performance, the gap is simply widening. Scherzer has allowed just one hit in the past two outings while thoroughly dominating the competition, and that allows the right-hander to claim the NL lead with a 1.76 ERA. Scherzer’s dominance extends well beyond that, however, as he holds a better than 9-to-1 (!) strikeout-to-walk ratio at this point in the season, and we’re running out of superlatives to describe just how fantastic Scherzer has been in his Washington debut.
  2. Gerrit Cole, Pittsburgh Pirates – Cole has been (somewhat) lost in the shuffle behind Scherzer, but the former number one pick has been lights-out. The right-hander stands second in the NL with a 1.78 ERA in 14 starts, and he leads the league in wins with 11 while pitching 91 innings. Cole’s ability to strike out more than a better per inning is in with his maturation as a pitcher, and Pittsburgh’s scouting staff has to be thrilled with the return on investment.
  3. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – By his standards, a 3.33 ERA is borderline unacceptable, but it’s time to acknowledge the reigning MVP. Kershaw’s last 5 starts have included 49 strikeouts in just 34.2 innings, and in those outings, he boasts a 1.56 ERA that harkens back to his dominant 2014 campaign. As a result, Kershaw trails only Scherzer in fWAR, and his strikeout dominance is something that stands alone. Zack Greinke may have the ERA title belt for the Dodgers, but Kershaw is still the guy.

Next: AL Cy Young

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