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MLB Awards: 3 finalists for NL Cy Young

By John Buhler

Oct 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) delivers a pitch during game two of the NLDS against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) delivers a pitch during game two of the NLDS against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (49) throws a pitch during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals in game three of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs

How Jake Arrieta didn’t make the 2015 National League All-Star roster is a bit unnerving. The 29-year-old right-hander had already matched his career high in victories in the first half. Surely, a 10-5 record, a 2.66 ERA, an 0.986 WHIP, and 123 strikeouts would have been enough to make an All-Star squad. That’s on Bruce Bochy for not putting Jake Arrieta on the NL squad for the Cincinnati installment of the Mid-Summer Classic.

However, perhaps Arrieta used that All-Star snub as fuel to an already impressive 2015 fire. What Jake Arrieta did in the second half was otherworldly. In his final 15 starts of 2015, Arrieta went 12-1, with an 0.75 ERA, an 0.727 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts. There was no better second half pitcher in baseball than Jake Arrieta.

Though the Cubs were firmly in the NL Wild Card race from early summer on, Arrieta’s emergence as the club’s ace over veteran lefty Jon Lester helped get the Chicago Cubs to their first NLCS since 2003. Arrieta’s 2015 was drawing comparisons to the 2003 campaigns of former Cubs Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. The similarities between the 2003 and 2015 Chicago Cubs team are uncanny.

Jake Arrieta finished 2015 with a league-high 22 wins, a 1.77 ERA, an 0.865 WHIP, and 236 strikeouts. This was the first time in Arrieta’s career he eclipsed 200 innings pitched with 229. He also NL highs in shutouts (three), complete games (4), home runs per nine innings (0.4) and hits per nine innings (5.9).

This would be Arrieta’s first Cy Young Award. His highest finish was last year when he finished ninth in the National League.

Next: The Case for Zack Greinke

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