MLB awards watch: AL Cy Young race

1. Justin Verlander, RHP, Houston Astros

8-2, 95 strikeouts, 0.74 WHIP, 2.9 WAR and 2.38 ERA.

Justin Verlander appeared to be at a career crossroads in 2017. In somewhat of a career purgatory, he was still pitching well. But the best days for Detroit Tigers were long gone, so the Houston Astros made a last-minute deal to land him.

Verlander became a huge piece to the World Series team, and he looked like the former ace we all saw with the Tigers. Rejuvenated at age 36, he almost won the Cy Young last year and now he looks to make a run at the award again.

The veteran trails Odorizzi in ERA, sitting just behind him in second. He is second behind German in wins, and in the same position in strikeouts behind teammate Gerrit Cole. His 79.1 innings pitched and 0.74 WHIP lead both the AL and entire MLB.

Verlander had a couple of clunkers to begin the season, but he has been great outside of a few starts since then. He went 3-1 with a 2.68 ERA in April and is 4-1 with an ERA of 2.29 so far in May. He appears to be working through the rust and finding form.

Even at his age, Verlander is chewing up innings, attacking batters and getting results. With one in the bag already, and six other top-five finishes, he may be adding another Cy Young to his career resume.