2008 Woodie Awards
Who will win the coveted Cy Young award thisseason? This columnist shares his predictions
Bryan Shaffer
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Sports
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September. Summer slips away, kids go back to school, and the MLB regular season draws to its conclusion. Not only has this year given us great pennant races, and many dramatic games, but it has shown us the strength of some pitchers in persisting through the six month long season and helping their teams win games.
Yes, I am referring to the coveted Cy Young award, and this year has not been too shabby as far as pitching is concerned.
In the American League, there are several contenders that I consider to be deserving of the award, starting with the most consistent pitcher in the American League this year: Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox. Harboring a league best 19-6 record, Beckett seems to be almost unstoppable this year. In fact, looking at important pitching stats, such as WHIP, ERA, Strikeouts, K/BB, K/9, and several others which are scrutinized by voters, Beckett is seldom found outside of the top 5 in the American league. Beckett has seen a nice improvement over last year's statistics, as he has given up 15 home runs this year as opposed to the 36 gopher balls he tossed in 2006. Not only in the statistical category, but in his four starts against the Red Sox hated rival, the New York Yankees, Beckett has gone 2-1, including a vital win against their ace Chien-Ming Wang.
That brings us in a fine transition to the man who is perhaps Beckett's chief rival for the Cy: Chien-Ming Wang. For Wang, who is second to Beckett with regards to his pitching record (18-7), it is not just the statistics that will get him votes. For one, he has been excellent ever since the beginning of June, racking up 15 wins with only 3 loses. Not only the record, but the way that his success has coincided with the Yankees push to the playoffs will get him votes to win the biggest honor a pitcher can receive. He has been by far the most consistent starter on a pitching staff that consists of over the hill veterans and blossoming prospects. Despite his ability to drive the team into contention, his statistics are nowhere near as impressive as Beckett's.
Yes, I am referring to the coveted Cy Young award, and this year has not been too shabby as far as pitching is concerned.
In the American League, there are several contenders that I consider to be deserving of the award, starting with the most consistent pitcher in the American League this year: Josh Beckett of the Boston Red Sox. Harboring a league best 19-6 record, Beckett seems to be almost unstoppable this year. In fact, looking at important pitching stats, such as WHIP, ERA, Strikeouts, K/BB, K/9, and several others which are scrutinized by voters, Beckett is seldom found outside of the top 5 in the American league. Beckett has seen a nice improvement over last year's statistics, as he has given up 15 home runs this year as opposed to the 36 gopher balls he tossed in 2006. Not only in the statistical category, but in his four starts against the Red Sox hated rival, the New York Yankees, Beckett has gone 2-1, including a vital win against their ace Chien-Ming Wang.
That brings us in a fine transition to the man who is perhaps Beckett's chief rival for the Cy: Chien-Ming Wang. For Wang, who is second to Beckett with regards to his pitching record (18-7), it is not just the statistics that will get him votes. For one, he has been excellent ever since the beginning of June, racking up 15 wins with only 3 loses. Not only the record, but the way that his success has coincided with the Yankees push to the playoffs will get him votes to win the biggest honor a pitcher can receive. He has been by far the most consistent starter on a pitching staff that consists of over the hill veterans and blossoming prospects. Despite his ability to drive the team into contention, his statistics are nowhere near as impressive as Beckett's.
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