The NL Cy Young Award is nowhere near cut in stone. An easy case could be made that it could go to Mets RHP RA Dickey, Reds RHP Johnny Cueto or Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez. While Clayton Kershaw, Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman have all had very good seasons, as September is now underway, it is likely to come down to the first three. I can see the last five all receiving votes, but in the end, the three favorites to win the award are Cueto, Dickey and Gonzalez.
Gonzalez is tied with Cueto and Dickey for the NL lead in win with 17 (17-7). He has a 3.10 ERA in 27 starts. He leads the league in hits per 9 IP at 7.0 and HR per 9 IP with 0.4. He has a 1.147 WHIP and 176 Ks in 168 1/3 IP. He has a 128 ERA+ and has 2 CG and 1 SHO.
Cueto also has 17 win (17-6) and leads the NL in ERA at 2.48. In 27 starts, he has 2 CG and 0 SHO. His 172 ERA+ leads the NL and is percentage points behind Gonzalez in HR per 9 IP at 0.4. He has thrown 181 2/3 innings, striking out 144. He has a 1.123 WHIP and has given up 8.1 hits per 9 IP.
Dickey has a 17-4 record with a 2.63 ERA. In his 27 starts (28 GP), he leads the NL in CG with 5 and SHO with 3. His 191 1/3 IP and 190 Ks are both higher than Gonzalez and Cueto. He also leads the NL with his 1.014 WHIP. His hits per 9 IP is slightly under Gonzalez (7.1), has a 144 ERA+ and has given up 0.8 HR per 9 IP.
As far as the other contenders, Kershaw (12-8, 2.85) leads the NL in GS (28), IP (192 2/3) and Ks (192). Zimmermann is 9-8 with a 2.63 ERA. Strasburg is 15-6, 3.05 and leads NL starters with 11.1 Ks per 9 IP. Kimbrel (0-1, 1.29, 32 saves) has 88 Ks in 49 IP (16.2 K per 9 IP) and Chapman (5-4, 1.27, 33 saves) has 113 Ks in 64 IP (15.9 Ks per 9 IP).
Overall, the edge probably goes to Dickey. Though I don't believe that the voting should be held against Dickey because he throws the knuckleball, I think it will matter that the Mets are not a playoff team. If it does come down to the three of DIckey, Cueto and Gonzalez, Dickey has to stand out to get the edge over the other two. I think Dickey has distinct advantages in winning percentages, IP and Ks in addition to his league leading numbers in WHIP, CG and SHO. But the other two pitchers should be considered and will have the advantage if the numbers are too close. I'd like to see Dickey run off the next three in a row, which in my mind will almost clinch it for RA.
Cueto also has 17 win (17-6) and leads the NL in ERA at 2.48. In 27 starts, he has 2 CG and 0 SHO. His 172 ERA+ leads the NL and is percentage points behind Gonzalez in HR per 9 IP at 0.4. He has thrown 181 2/3 innings, striking out 144. He has a 1.123 WHIP and has given up 8.1 hits per 9 IP.
Dickey has a 17-4 record with a 2.63 ERA. In his 27 starts (28 GP), he leads the NL in CG with 5 and SHO with 3. His 191 1/3 IP and 190 Ks are both higher than Gonzalez and Cueto. He also leads the NL with his 1.014 WHIP. His hits per 9 IP is slightly under Gonzalez (7.1), has a 144 ERA+ and has given up 0.8 HR per 9 IP.
As far as the other contenders, Kershaw (12-8, 2.85) leads the NL in GS (28), IP (192 2/3) and Ks (192). Zimmermann is 9-8 with a 2.63 ERA. Strasburg is 15-6, 3.05 and leads NL starters with 11.1 Ks per 9 IP. Kimbrel (0-1, 1.29, 32 saves) has 88 Ks in 49 IP (16.2 K per 9 IP) and Chapman (5-4, 1.27, 33 saves) has 113 Ks in 64 IP (15.9 Ks per 9 IP).
Overall, the edge probably goes to Dickey. Though I don't believe that the voting should be held against Dickey because he throws the knuckleball, I think it will matter that the Mets are not a playoff team. If it does come down to the three of DIckey, Cueto and Gonzalez, Dickey has to stand out to get the edge over the other two. I think Dickey has distinct advantages in winning percentages, IP and Ks in addition to his league leading numbers in WHIP, CG and SHO. But the other two pitchers should be considered and will have the advantage if the numbers are too close. I'd like to see Dickey run off the next three in a row, which in my mind will almost clinch it for RA.
RSS Feed
