ESNY

Given the mediocrity of starting pitching in the American League, the second half of the season could see some Dark Horse Candidates arise for the A.L. Cy Young Award.

For the past couple years in Major League Baseball, the differences between the American League and National League have been growing at rapid rates. While the AL has their big bats and sub par pitching, the NL has incredible pitching staffs but weaker lineups.

With that being said, the race for Most Valuable Player and the Cy Young Award in each league have become wide open. This rings especially true for the AL Cy Young Award.

Starting pitching in the AL has been mediocre at best this year, as the top ten qualified ERAs belong to the NL (unless you include Drew Pomeranz, who was acquired by the Boston Red Sox earlier this week).

It’s safe to say that the second half of the season is going to decide who receives the honor this year.

The main contenders right now are Danny Salazar (Cleveland Indians), Steven Wright (Red Sox), and Chris Sale (Chicago White Sox), but the next two months could very well change that.

It’s inevitable that dark horses will arise in the second half, but nobody knows who they will be, considering how unpredictable pitching in the AL has been this year.

Here are four possible dark horse AL Cy Young Candidates for this year.

** All statistics are as of 7/17/16

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I am a rising senior at Chaminade High School who is a die hard New York Rangers, Jets, and Baltimore Orioles fan. I love to write about all thing sports and have my opinion heard.