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MLB awards watch: Cy Young races

By John Buhler

May 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale (41) prepares to deliver a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale (41) prepares to deliver a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Third Place

American League

3

Chris Sale

LHP, Boston Red Sox

New team, same Chris Sale. He left the Chicago White Sox for the Boston Red Sox this season and he’s been terrific thus far. Boston is in the postseason mix at 27-23 through 50 games. The Red Sox have the starting rotation to go very far in October, assuming the bats come to life.

Sale is 5-2 on the year with a 2.7 WAR. He has a 2.34 ERA, a 0.808 WHIP and has already amassed 101 punch outs. Boston will obviously need to be in the running for a postseason berth to amplify Sale’s Cy Young candidacy, but there’s no doubt who the best pitcher on Boston’s impressive staff is.

National League

3

Antonio Senzatela

RHP, Colorado Rockies

Well, what do you know? The Colorado Rockies’ elite farm system has helped turn them into a force to be reckoned with in the NL West. Colorado finds itself with a cool 33-20 record through 53 games. A big reason for that is rookie right-hander Antonio Senzatela.

Senzatela is making a compelling case not only for NL Rookie of the Year, but potentially for NL CY Young. He is 7-1 as a starter with a 2.4 WAR. Senzatela boasts a 3.19 ERA, a 1.145 WHIP and 37 strikeouts. Do keep in mind that he will end up making half of his starts at Coors Field. The Rockies might have some serious staying power in the NL this summer.

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