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MLB Awards Watch: Cy Young races

By Nicholas Ian Allen

June 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
June 6, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 27, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

There is an ongoing discussion in baseball circles as to whether or not Max Scherzer has passed Clayton Kershaw as the best pitcher in the game. At least as far as 2017 is concerned, Scherzer is the best pitcher in the National League, and has a strong case to be called the best in the majors.

Scherzer held the Cubs to one earned run on two hits across six innings Tuesday night to improve to 9-5 and lower his ERA to 2.06, which is the best in the big leagues among qualified starters. The 32-year-old right-hander has struck out 151 hitters in 113.2 innings across 16 starts. He ahas held opponents to a .164 batting average and has a 0.78 WHIP, both of which leads all qualified big league starters.

The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner has tossed two complete games this season, which includes a two-hit loss June 21 against the Marlins in which he flirted with his third career no-hitter. Scherzer didn’t allow his first hit of the game until he surrendered a one-out single in the top of the eighth inning, which led to two unearned runs.

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The close call in Miami is just one example of how dominant Scherzer was during the month of June. In five starts, he was 3-2 with a 0.99 ERA and struck out 51 hitters and walked six in 36.1 innings. Opponents hit just .114 during the month, and Scherzer posted an incredible 0.55 WHIP after allowing a total of 14 hits.

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