Charlie Klein
Felix Hernandez should win the 2009 American League Cy Young Award. There I said it, now go on and tell me why there are three other pitchers who deserve the award leaps and bounds ahead of the King.
Hernandez's season numbers are ridiculous. He is 10-3, with a 2.51 ERA, and 129 strikeouts. King Felix is on pace for an 18-5 record with more strikeouts (232) than hits allowed (200) with a 2.51 ERA. Let's compare those projections with Hernandez's competition for the award, in Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay, and Edwin Jackson.
Hallady is projected to have the same record (18-5), fewer strikeouts (189), and a higher ERA (2.85).
Greinke, who is probably Hernandez's best competition for the award, is projected to have more losses (18-9), three more strikeouts, and a lower ERA (2.28).
Jackson is my sleeper pick for the award, is projected to have a 13-7 record, 2.52 ERA, and 179 strikeouts.
With all of those numbers in mind, Hernandez is also on the most competitive team of the four candidates for the award, with the exception of Jackson. The Blue Jays are not going anywhere this season considering that they play in the toughest division baseball and Halladay may be traded to a National League team, removing him from the running. The numbers are a wash between Greinke and King Felix, so I expect the competitiveness of the Mariners to serve as the tie breaker.
The Blue Jays are not going anywhere this season considering that they play in the toughest division baseball and Halladay may be traded to a National League team, removing him from the running......
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that he will be a phillie sure enough, doesn't a 2.85 era and 18-5 record in the so-called best division in baseball better than an 18-5 record in a division that allows a pitcher to go up against the strikeout friendly oakland a's and texas rangers? he's a great pitcher, but quit being a homer, wherever that be.. he very well could win. he's an all-star. it's not as though ppl don't act like he's one of the best pitchers.
yeah mark that's all true. that's why i posted it as "west coast bias." Halladay's numbers are a bit more respectable but then again look at Cliff Lee who won the Cy Young on numbers alone, even though he got to face the Royals etc. who don't boast strong lineups.
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