American League Cy Young Award

So this is an interesting race because of the intangibles that are involved. The players that are up for the award are of different records and credentials, as well as teams and baseball class really. In the end there are probably four pitchers that are legitimately in the discussion, including Felix Hernandez, Zach Greinke, C.C. Sabathia, and Mariano Rivera. You have guys that are in the middle of the pack, a low level team, and the new World Series Champions, along with the fact that one is a closer.

Greinke is a good place to start, because in all reality he should probably be the guy to win the award this year. Greinke had an ERA of only 2.16, while striking out 242 batters (which was more than all three of the others mentioned, 25 more than Hernandez who was second), and had more shutouts that the other two starting pitchers combined. That is all in his favor, not to mention that as the ace of the Kansas City Royals he won 16 games. The team only won 65 games, so he won almost a quarter of their games as the starter by decision. You put him on another team who knows what his win total is, and that has to be a factor.

Hernandez was no slouch himself, he only had 19 wins in 24 decisions, to accompany an ERA of 2.49, in a hitters ballpark in Seattle. He also pitched more innings than Greinke, while also giving up only 11 more earned runs. On the other hand he also gave up 20 more walks than Greinke, along with four more home runs.

Sabathia, the big hurler from the Yankees is a different animal to look at, because of the atmosphere that surrounded a lot of his starts, and what he did in the most meaningful starts. He also had 19 wins, and was an inning eater when his team needed him to be. His ERA was a solid 3.37, though that is a detriment despite because of the lower ERA's of the others in the running. While giving up only 18 home runs in what was a hitter's ballpark, his opponents avg. was also worse than Greinke's at .230, and Hernandez's at an impressive .227.

Finally, there is Rivera who has some history on his side. Having a season in which he achieved the status of 500 saves is something that has to be in his favor. Being a closer you have to look into his stats more, but in 66.1 innings pitched Rivera was able to strike out 72 batters, had an ERA of 1.76 and 44 saves in 46 chances, finding himself third in saves. It will be very hard however for Rivera to win as a closer, especially given the seasons by the starters he is going up against.

In the end Zach Greinke was amazing the whole year, and he had the best statistics amongst those that are up for the award, all while playing in Kansas City. I think that if Greinke does not win the award that it is a mistake by all those that voted.

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