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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Chris Tillman, Baltimore Orioles
13-2, 3.29 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
Coming into the 2016 season, Baltimore Orioles fans didn’t know what to expect from Chris Tillman.
He was coming off a year that saw his ERA rise 1.65 runs from the previous year (3.34 in 2014 to 4.99 in 2015), leaving fans curious on whether he could recapture his 2014 form, in which he led the O’s to an A.L. East title.
Tillman looks like his old self again.
At 13-2, he has already eclipsed his win total from last year and only trails Chris Sale in victories.
His 3.29 ERA is 9th in the A.L. and his 3.6 Wins above Replacement rank 2nd in the A.L., trailing only Danny Salazar.
He has arguably been the Most Valuable Pitcher in all of baseball.
He leads a staff that has been atrocious this year. The Bird’s ERA from their starting pitchers is third worst in all of baseball, and without their ace, it would likely be last.
Good news for Orioles fans is that Tillman could be getting even better. Over the last 3 years, his ERA has improved marginally after the All-Star Break.
If that happens this year, the righty could be receiving some hardware.
Next: David Price
David Price, Boston Red Sox
9-7, 4.36 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
This may require a small miracle, but if anyone would be able to pull it off, it’s David Price.
Red Sox fans expected so much more than what they’ve seen so far from the former Cy Young Award winner when he signed a 7 year, $217 million dollar deal over the offseason.
The lefty’s 4.36 ERA is unusually high for his standards, and that is in large part to due his extremely slow start. His 5.76 ERA in April was one of the worst months of his career.
Reasons for hope?
He does have 141 strikeouts however (best in baseball) and has logged over 125 innings thus far this year. The work horse has been much better in July, sporting a 2.49 ERA in three starts.
Additionally, Price has a 49-24 record with an ERA just over 3.00 after the All-Star Break in his career. The 30-year-old’s track record is simply too good for him not to have an exceptional second half.
Will David Price’s second half be good enough for Cy Young Consideration? Probably not, but knowing how good Price is, it’d be unwise to rule it out.
Next: Masahiro Tanaka
Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
7-2, 3.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP
Some might call me crazy, but Masahiro Tanaka has the ability to pitch at a Cy Young level.
After last year where he took a step back from his stellar rookie season, the Japanese right-hander has shown flashes of his old self. His splitter has wreaked havoc for hitters when he’s been at his best, leading to his 3.15 ERA (sixth in AL).
Even though his strikeout rate and WHIP have gone down, Tanaka has found a way to be effective by lessening his homerun rate. His 0.8 HR/9 is the lowest of his career and it has helped him this year to limit damage and prevent big innings, unlike last year.
If he wants Cy Young consideration, he is going to have to pitch like he did in the beginning of his rookie year. Although many people have been concerned about his arm since he hurt his elbow, those issues could be behind him.
Tanaka may not be back to his rookie year form, but if he is able to get some of that form back, the mediocrity of A.L. pitching may get him Cy Young consideration.
Next: Michael Fulmer
Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers
9-2, 2.13 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
What a surprise this kid has been.
When the Detroit Tigers acquired Michael Fulmer in a trade last season that sent Yoenis Cespedes to the New York Mets, Tigers fans had little idea that he would be this good, this quickly.
Since being called up back in late April, the rookie has been nothing short of spectacular. His 9-2 record, 2.13 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 84.2 IP is more than anyone could’ve expected.
He has been the ace in the Tigers rotation and is a big reason why they are fighting for a playoff spot.
One question with Fulmer is if he can keep this pace up.
He is on pace to throw more innings this year than he has ever pitched in a season in the minors. He hasn’t shown any signs of stopping yet, but arm fatigue could be a factor toward the end of the year.
Another question with the former first round pick depends on if he’ll have enough innings to qualify.
If Fulmer is able to keep it up, there is little question that he will win A.L. Rookie of the Year. However, he may not have enough innings as a starter to win the Cy Young.
If he is able to log at least 120 innings, he has a shot. But the baseball writers may think it isn’t enough for him to earn this prestigious award.
Whether Fulmer wins the Cy Young or not, Detroit has found a budding star.