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MLB Awards Watch: Dallas Keuchel leads jam-packed race for AL Cy Young

By Brad Rowland

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw (22) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw (22) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

  1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – It hasn’t been quite as dominant as the 2014 campaign proved to be, but Kershaw holds the crown to this point. The left-hander leads the NL in fWAR (5.4) and strikeout rate (11.39 K/9) by comfortable margins, and even with “only” 10 wins, his ERA (2.39) should be low enough to appease more traditional voters. Kershaw is the best pitcher in the game, and you won’t hear many arguments to the contrary.
  2. Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers – Greinke continues to lead MLB in ERA (1.58) and that isn’t a pretty good argument for Cy Young candidacy. He lags behind Kershaw considerably in strikeouts with only 8.17 per 9 innings, but Greinke’s control (1.58 BB/9) has actually been better than his teammate’s this season, and the right-hander has been obscenely good.
  3. Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs – No Scherzer? Not this week. Scherzer has cooled considerably, opening the door for Chicago age Jake Arrieta to run through the door. The Cubs are one of the better stories in baseball, but their team success isn’t the only reason for Arrieta’s appearance, as he boasts a 2.39 ERA to go along with more than a strikeout per inning. Casual fans may not know his name yet, but Arrieta looks the part as an ace for a long time.

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