MLB Awards Watch: Chris Sale, Max Scherzer lead Cy Young races

1. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals

The good news from Max Scherzer’s start Tuesday night was his three-run, which helped the Nationals build a 6-0 lead in the second inning. The bad news was the Marlins overcame the deficit to win 7-6, in large part because Scherzer couldn’t make it through his warm-up tosses in the bottom half of the inning, and exited his start with neck spasms.

It’s too early to tell whether or not Scherzer’s injury will cost him time on the disabled list, but even if it does, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner is a heavy favorite to win his second straight plaque.

In 22 starts, Scherzer is 12-5 with a 2.21 ERA and an NL leading 201 strikeouts in 146.1 innings, which is also the most in the leagues. Scherzer also leads the senior circuit (among qualified starters) with two complete games, a 2.84 FIP and 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Having allowed just 87 hits and 36 walks, Scherzer’s 0.841 WHIP and 5.4 hits allowed per nine innings are the best in the majors among starters.

Scherzer ranks second in the majors in ERA (behind only Kershaw), and is second overall and first in the NL in fWAR (4.5). He ranks second among qualified starters in ERA- (51), third in FIP, SIERA (2.76) and K% (35.7 percent), fourth in FIP- (69) and xFIP (3.10) and fifth in xFIP- (72).

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All told, Scherzer has been the most dominant pitcher in the National League, and one of the very best in baseball. If he’s healthy enough to pitch, and his neck pain doesn’t cause a significant drop in production, he’ll be the NL Cy Young winner again.