NL Cy Young watch: Breaking down top candidates as Zack Wheeler and Walker Buehler lead a crowded field

We’re arising on the six-week mark by way of what’s left on the 2021 Main League Baseball season. Provided that final 12 months was solely 60 video games, this has been particularly enjoyable, however that is irrelevant we’re right here to make. As an admitted awards junkie, the person races are at all times being monitored over right here. 

Let’s check out the race for the Nationwide League Cy Younger, which is extensive open due to Jacob deGrom’s lingering absence. The next candidates are certainly not the one ones who’ve an opportunity to win the award, however they’re those most within the combine, in my view. They don’t seem to be ranked. 

Final day trip, Wheeler totally dominated the Mets, throwing a two-hit shutout whereas strolling one and putting out 11. It was a little bit of an exclamation level after the work he is been doing this season. He leads the majors in innings and batters confronted whereas nonetheless posting a 2.42 ERA, 165 ERA+, 0.99 WHIP and a couple of.42 FIP. His 181 strikeouts lead the majors and he is third in win likelihood added as nicely. All this provides as much as him main in WAR. He is sixth in ERA and ERA+, however with that workload to ease the strain on a shaky bullpen, this is perhaps probably the most spectacular resume. I’ve lengthy maintained innings pitched from an efficient starter is an underrated stat and it is perhaps extra true than ever coming off the season that was 2020. Give him bonus factors for that. 

Any good analyst is aware of that restricted your self to only one stat to outline a pitcher is completely silly and ignorant. We want a whole image to be able to consider all the scenario. ERA continues to be my prime one, although, a lot to the dismay of many FIP followers. Buehler leads the league in ERA. He is additionally fifth in WHIP, third in innings, ninth in strikeouts, third in WAR, fourth in win likelihood added and one win away from the league lead, in the event you’re into that archaic stat. 

Trivia tidbit to your associates: The Dodgers have probably the most Cy Younger winners at 12 and in addition lead all franchises with the eight completely different pitchers having gained it. Buehler could be the ninth if he can pull it off. Are you able to title the previous eight? Clayton Kershaw and Sandy Koufax are your free areas. 

The Brewers‘ trio: Woodruff, Burnes, Peralta

These numbers are straight 🔥, huh? In ERA, Woodruff is second, Burnes third and Peralta fourth. In WHIP, Woodruff is second, Peralta is third and Burnes is fourth. In ERA+, Woodruff is first, Burnes is second and Peralta is fourth. In win likelihood added, Woodruff is first and Peralta is sixth. In strikeouts, Burnes is second, Woodruff is third and Peralta is fifth. Burnes leads the majors in FIP, residence run charge, stroll charge, strikeout charge and strikeouts-per-walk, the latter being top-of-the-line in MLB historical past (he is at 172 Okay, 21 BB proper now). The one factor to look at could be workload. Solely Woodruff (seventh) is within the prime 10 in innings pitched and all three have already hit their profession highs. How a lot additional can they go and nonetheless hope to be efficient in October? It is a powerful tightrope for the group and would possibly harm their possibilities at particular person {hardware} if issues are ramped down. 

Nonetheless, every of the three is a deserving candidate and they’re all on the identical group. What a trio. 

Jacob deGrom, Mets

Yeah, he is nonetheless within the combine if he comes again in time. I imply, take a look at these numbers. Ridiculous. He is nonetheless sixth in WAR regardless of solely 92 innings. The longer it takes him to return again, nonetheless, the longer the percentages are of him having a shot at profitable. Absolutely he must make not less than 20 begins. He is at 15 now and time is not ready round. 

We have beforehand mentioned how Trea Turner profitable MVP could be the primary time a participant was ever traded in season and gained the award. If Scherzer would pull this off he’d be part of Rick Sutcliffe (1984, Cubs) as the one gamers to take the Cy Younger after being traded in season. It will additionally mark the fourth win for Scherzer. Solely Roger Clemens (seven), Randy Johnson (5), Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux have gained not less than 4 Cy Youngs. Scherzer is seventh in ERA, tenth in WAR, first in WHIP and third in strikeouts. 

By 12 begins, Gausman had this factor gained, however he is fallen again in his final 11. He is “solely” pitched to a 3.62 ERA in that point after beginning 7-0 with a 1.27 ERA. Nonetheless, he is constructed up an excellent basis and a scorching end might internet the {hardware}. He is fifth in WAR, fifth in ERA, sixth in WHIP, ninth in innings, fifth in strikeouts and eighth in win likelihood added.