{"id":18238,"date":"2019-03-28T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2019-03-28T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=18238"},"modified":"2019-03-28T00:37:57","modified_gmt":"2019-03-28T04:37:57","slug":"possible-2019-american-league-cy-young-candidates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/03\/28\/possible-2019-american-league-cy-young-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"2019 American League Cy Young Candidates"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the 2019 Major League Baseball season unfolds, it is easy to fathom what caliber of extraordinary pitching will emerge this year. Last season saw a lot of tremendous performances on the mound, including three no-hitters and the revolutionary ‘Opener’ put to use. The state of pitching in the American League has never been better, with a long list of possible Cy Young<\/a><\/strong> award candidates.<\/p>\n

The trophy wound up in Blake Snell<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s hands last season. He finished 2018 going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 180.2 innings pitched. No pitcher has won consecutive American League Cy Young awards since Pedro Martinez<\/a><\/strong> in 1999-2000, and while Snell has the ability to do so, he will have to compete with the following pitchers for the award:<\/p>\n

Front Runners<\/h1>\n

Justin Verlander<\/a><\/strong>, HOU<\/h2>\n

Age appears to have no effect on Verlander, who had one of his best seasons last year at age 35. He led the league with 290 strikeouts and a 0.902 WHIP while anchoring an Astros\u2019 rotation that won over 100 games for the second consecutive season.<\/p>\n

He looks primed for the Hall of Fame once he retires although the one thing that could enhance his resume would be a second Cy Young award. Verlander won the award during his MVP season in 2011 with the Tigers, and he has finished top five in three straight seasons, including runner-up twice. He has shown no reason to not anticipate him being in the running for the award when the season ends.<\/p>\n

James Paxton<\/a><\/strong>, NYY<\/h2>\n

The newest starting pitcher to don the pinstripes will look to make a lasting mark in his first year with the Yankees. Paxton has shown flashes of Cy Young potential although his health has been \u00a0his main issue. Through six seasons, Paxton has never made 30 starts or qualified for an ERA title (162 inning minimum).<\/p>\n

That being said, if Paxton can stay healthy, he can put it all together and win the award. He has a great pitching arsenal that led to a no hitter against the Blue Jays last season. His K\/9 has risen each season, topping out at 11.7 last year. Meanwhile, his WHIP has fallen each season, reaching 1.098 last year. Paxton\u2019s candidacy will also benefit from pitching in more high pressure games in New York than he did in Seattle.<\/p>\n