In 2015, any one of these three starting pitchers is worthy of winning the Cy Young award in the American League. The winner will be recognized tonight.
Baseball analysts put forth many different theories as to what it takes to build a successful team. Many think that to build a winning playoff roster, you need an ace starting pitcher to go to the mound every five days. This same individual is usually called upon to end a possible losing streak and could be asked to throw a complete nine-inning game, if necessary. Others believe that you need a dominant closer to close out the game in the ninth inning.
The American League is filled with some of the game’s great pitchers and many names are discussed and nominated as possible candidates to win a Cy Young award at the conclusion of the six month, 162 game schedule.
Major League Baseball takes into account many different criteria in deciding the eventual Cy Young winner. Some votes are cast based on simply the amount of victories a pitcher has. Other voters place stake on the amount of strikeouts. Still others believe that a Cy Young winner’s success is based upon how well that organization did in reaching the playoffs, how far they went in the playoffs and if they won the World Series.
For the most part, the same group of pitchers are always in discussions and arguments are made as to why pitcher “A” is the most feared man in the game. However, names creep onto ballots surprisingly after each campaign and give people something to talk about.
Cy Young winners, in the National League as well as American League, have typically played most, if not all, of their career with their organization coming up through their farm system.
The 2015 season was very successful in the American League and all three of these men should be under consideration for the cherished honor of winning the Cy Young award.
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