1st Half Cy Young Contenders

Every year, Major League Baseball gives out a Cy Young Award for the best pitcher in both the AL and NL, as voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. If a comparable award were given in fantasy baseball, the results likely would not match.

Many baseball pools focus primarily on wins, strikeouts and ERA, while others require the versatility and dominance of a flame-thrower who can pile up complete games and shutouts while eating innings.

Here's a look at the frontrunners for this year's Cy Young awards:

The NL contenders

Ubaldo Jimenez (COL - SP)

As discussed among baseball's first-half surprises, Ubaldo Jimenez has easily been the most improved pitcher from last season. He's gone from posting a 15-12 record in the 2008-09 campaign to having a 15-2 record this season through July 26. Jimenez has pitched three complete games, two shutouts and one no-hitter while striking out 120, but his ERA has dropped to 10th in the majors at 2.75 after two recent rough outings. Plus, he has walked 55 batters. Unlike the other NL Cy Young candidates, Jimenez isn't a perennial top draft choice, so he's brought some unexpected fantasy value to his owners as the current league-leader in wins.

Josh Johnson (FLA - SP)

Like Jimenez, Florida's Josh Johnson has been an all-around star pitcher this season, but has been exceptional in one particular category. Johnson leads the majors with a sparkling 1.61 ERA. The only other starter below 2.00 is St. Louis's Adam Wainwright at 1.94. At 10-3 with 141 strikeouts, which is good for second in the NL, just 29 walks allowed and a stellar 0.97 WHIP, Johnson likely has the edge over Jimenez at this point in the NL overall — and in terms of the best NL pitcher in fantasy baseball.

Roy Halladay (PHI - SP)

Roy Halladay doesn't seem to mind pitching in the National League. Although he spent his entire career up until this season in the AL with the Blue Jays, Halladay has shown little need for a learning curve and is still the same dominant pitcher. Case in point: he is first in complete games (seven), shutouts (three) and innings pitched (162). He's fourth in ERA (2.28), seventh in strikeouts (140) and tied for eighth in wins (11). What's even more impressive is that Halladay has allowed the second-fewest walks (20) of any of the top 70 strikeout leaders in the majors, behind Cliff Lee, although Doc also has eight losses.

Adam Wainwright (STL - SP)

You know that the crop of pitchers in the NL is phenomenal when we're talking about Adam Wainwright fourth on this list. He's actually been the best pitcher in the majors over the past month. He's gone 4-0 with a complete game, 29 K's and an unbelievable 0.25 ERA. On the season, Wainwright is second in wins with a record of 14-5, fourth with four complete games, fourth among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched with a 1.00 WHIP and second with an enviable 1.94 ERA. He's also fifth in the NL with 136 strikeouts.

Chris Carpenter (STL - SP)

The other half of St. Louis's one-two punch is also having a stellar season, as usual. Chris Carpenter is 11-3 with 122 strikeouts and a 3.09 ERA in 22 starts. The 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner has pitched 148.2 innings, good for third in the majors, but he has no complete games through July 26.

Tim Lincecum (SF - SP)

This list wouldn't be complete without two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. Lincecum has a ways to go if he's to catch the aforementioned contenders or even match his stats from the past two seasons. San Francisco's ace is 10-4 with a 3.12 ERA in 21 starts. He leads the NL with 143 strikeouts, but has already surrendered 53 walks. By comparison, in 2009 Lincecum was 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA and just 68 walks, while in 2008 he went 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA.

The AL contenders

Cliff Lee (TEX - SP)

If you haven't been paying attention to Cliff Lee's stats, you may think he was shipped out of Seattle because he's been underperforming. It's quite the opposite. The Texas Rangers acquired one of the best pitchers in baseball. Yes, he's only 9-4, but that's in just 16 starts. The 2008 Cy Young winner leads the American League with a 2.56 ERA and six complete games. He has also walked a measly seven batters all season, which is the fewest walks allowed among pitchers in the top 70 in strikeouts. Throw in the fact that Lee has the best WHIP among starters at 0.92 to go along with 101 strikeouts and you have yourself a frontrunner for the AL Cy Young Award.

Carl Pavano (MIN - SP)

More than any other pitcher on this list, Carl Pavano is an excellent example of a pitcher who likely won't win the Cy Young, but probably would have won a fantasy baseball version if there was one. He doesn't lead any pitching categories after 20 starts with the Twins, but he's near the top in several of them. More important, though, he went largely undrafted or was a very late steal in Yahoo fantasy leagues. Pavano is tied for fourth in the majors in wins (12-6), tied for third in complete games (five), tied for second in shutouts (two) and is seventh in innings pitched (143.2). He has a respectable 3.26 ERA, 81 strikeouts and just 19 walks. Additionally, Pavano is fifth among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched with a minuscule 1.01 WHIP and has pitched complete games in his previous two starts.

CC Sabathia (NYY - SP)

Baseball fans have become accustomed to the consistent dominance of CC Sabathia and again this year he's not disappointing. He's tied for first in the AL in wins with 13 and is third with 144.1 innings pitched. Sabathia also has three complete games, two shutouts, a 3.18 ERA, 119 K's and just three losses on the season. More important, he is 9-0 in his last 10 starts for New York.

David Price (TB - SP)

The American League's starter at the 81st all-star game has had an up-and-down month, but David Price is still squarely in the race for the top pitcher award. The Tampa Bay starter is tied for first in the AL in wins with a career-high 13 (to go along with five losses) and, despite being higher up the list until recently, Price finds himself in fifth with a 2.90 ERA. The 2007 first overall pick has also obtained new personal benchmarks in strikeouts (108), complete games (two) and shutouts (one) and will add games started and innings pitched to that list shortly. You couldn't ask for much more from a late-round pick in your draft.

Felix Hernandez (SEA - SP)

With Cliff Lee now in Texas, Felix Hernandez has resumed his role as the Mariners' ace. He's third in the majors in strikeouts with 145, second in innings pitched with 160.2 and tied for third with five complete games. Hernandez is also third in the AL with a 2.86 ERA, but has a record of just 7-7 in 22 starts. Like last year, it seems Hernandez could possibly be on pace for a better second half of the season though. In the past month, he's 2-2 with a 1.88 ERA, 40 strikeouts, three complete games and a shutout.

Jon Lester (BOS - SP)

One fairly surprising candidate for the award this season is Jon Lester. In a stacked Red Sox rotation, which includes another potential contender in Clay Buchholz, Lester has a record of 11-5 with two complete games. He's tied for fourth in the majors with 143 strikeouts and has a 2.92 ERA, which is good for sixth in the AL.

Jered Weaver (LAA - SP)

Though his record and ERA are not leading the league through 21 starts (9-6, 3.22 ERA), Jered Weaver is one of the MLB's top flame-throwers in 2010. Weaver is second in the majors in strikeouts, just two behind his new teammate Dan Haren, with 147 and he has walked just 30 batters. Not bad for a guy who had a career-high 174 punch-outs last season in 33 starts.

Trivia: Who was the last Ranger pitcher to get a Cy Young award?

Thursday and Friday Picks

Today

Rangers vs. Mariners – Loe vs. Harris – I like Loe. I think he is going to be huge and not just in height. Harris has done decent this year; one of his two wins was against the Rangers who hit only .182 against him. Adrian Gonzalez is the only one who did any real damage against him and has the only RBI against him. Gonzalez, by the way, would have over 30 homeruns if he had played the entire season with the Rangers. I think the number would be 37 dingers. Impressive, I must say. Loe does some damage against the M’s too. He has a win against them, 6 strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings (WOW) and holds them to a .167 average. They have only 1 run against him as well. I like the Rangers in this one 3-1.

Braves vs. Phillies – Sosa vs. Myers – Sosa is hot, Myers is average. I go with the hot stuff. Braves over Phillies 4-2.

Astros vs. Marlins – Pettitte vs. Vargas – Pettitte is on fire (2.48 ERA season and 1.40 ERA over his last 3), Vargas is throwing a medicine ball (8.25 ERA in his last 3)… Astros dominate this one 7-2.

Brewers vs. D-Backs – Ohka vs. Estes – Fairly even on this overall, but Estes is a little colder than Ohka. Ohka notably is better on the road in comparison to Estes at home. I will go with the alcoholics and say the D-Backs bullpen will loose to the Brewers starter: 6-4.

Tomorrow

Rangers vs. Mariners – TBA vs. Hernandez – I have done some vast research and I have come up empty for the Rangers starter for 9/16. But I did dig up in one place and they said Rogers for this game. But the same resource also said Rogers for Saturday. Rogers is not Cy Young in that he can throw a doubleheader one day and then pitch again the next. So, when I find out for certain, I can make a better guess on this. I would like the match up of Rogers vs. Hernandez, Hernandez looks good. He has a 2.33 ERA this year and even though Rogers isn’t as hot as he was earlier this year, I think he would still be the best guy for the job. But it is not my call (but it should be).

Braves vs. Mets – Smoltz vs. Trachsel – Smoltz is just better than Trash-el, has better numbers and is very consistent. Probably the most consistent of any pitcher I have seen (and when I say consistent, I mean consistently good – there are plenty who are consistently bad). Braves with a win over the Mets, say 5-2.

Phillies vs. Marlins – Lieber vs. Moehler – Moehler hasn’t started since 8/20. Lieber is very hot right now. Everything points to the female horse and a good win for them. I do, however, think this isn’t going to be a cakewalk for the Phillies. The Big Fish loose to the female horses, going with 7-5.

Astros vs. Brewers – Oswalt vs. Helling – Helling is an alcoholic, hard to swallow. But it is good to see him out there again. Dude is on fire, too. He has a 0.98 ERA over his last 3. Oswalt is a good match up for him. This could hand him his first loss this year. But, I honestly think this will go to the bullpen and some extra time on the diamond. Astros with a walk off run in the 11th, 4-3.

D-Backs vs. Rockies – Nippert vs. Day – Battle of the bottom, is what I call these types of games. Oh, how I can remember the days of the 13 win seasons for the Mavs, battling the lowly Timberwolves (I would call them the Feather Wolves, he he he). I looked over the goods, Nippert looks better than Day, although that isn’t saying too much. But the numbers don’t lie, Day has an ERA of almost 7, and Nippert is in the mid 5’s. Day also has been throwing in low 8’s over his last 3 games. Nippert has only one appearance. I think in this game he will shine. D-Backs 10-6.

Home Plate

Friday and Saturday Picks (9/9 and 9/10)

Friday, Sept. 9th

Rangers vs. A’s – Dominguez vs. Zito – well, logic would naturally say Zito. But Dominguez just gets better and better with each start. In his last start, he went into the eighth inning with a no hitter. Granted, that was KC, but still a no-no is a no-no. He has a 1.69 ERA in his last three starts. Zito has a 3.44 in his last three, including a clobbering against New York. The A’s are cold right now. Zito really does own the Rangers. The Rangers as a team hit .204 in 224 at bats. Of the 46 hits, 12 are extra bases. No long ball tonight, 4 homers against Zito. Hard call to make. Rangers don’t do well against Zito, A’s are cold, Dominguez is hot… A shot in the dark, but I will go with Texas 4-3.

Braves vs. Nats – Ramirez vs. Loaiza – I have always liked Loaiza, when he was with the Rangers and after that. He is a good pitcher, not on a good team, though. He is 10-10 with a 3.62 ERA this year, 3.26 in his last 3. Ramirez is 3.32 in his last 3, and has a 11-8 mark. He doesn’t do well on the road, though (3-7, 5.61 ERA). I am going with the Nats on this 6-4.

Astros vs. Alcoholics – Clemens vs. Davis – Clemens has a 6-2 mark on the road and a 0.52 ERA. Astros 5-1.

Big Fish vs. Female Horse – Burnett vs. Lidle – Both have been throwing grapefruit over their last 3 (6.75 and 6.43 ERA’s respectively). Burnett has had better success this season. Marlins over Phillies 5-2.

D-Backs vs. the Other Alcoholic Team – Estes vs. Kim – Kim is hot, Estes is not. Kim has a 0.92 ERA in his last 3. Estes has an 8.40 over his last 3. Granted, Colorado is not a good team; D-Backs are nothing to brag about, either. Upset, D-Backs over Rockies in a squeaker 5-4.

Saturday, Sept 10th

Rangers vs. A’s – Blanton vs. Loe – Kameron Loe is quickly becoming one of top Rangers players of all time. I just like the guy. 6 foot 8, strong pitcher, great command, and his numbers prove me right. 3.22 ERA for the season, 0.95 ERA over his last three. Blanton stinks on the road. 3-7 mark tells all. Rangers take this one as I get my Tex statue, 4-2.

Braves vs. Nats – Sosa vs. Hernandez – Sosa is undefeated on the road. Braves 5-3.

Astros vs. Alcoholics – Pettitte vs. Ohka – Never heard of Ohka. Pettitte will take this one just on principal (Plus Pettitte has a 0.44 ERA in his last 3). Astros 4-2.

Big Fish vs. Female Horse – Vargas vs. Myers – Big Fish is a really good movie, by the way. Pretty even on the surface, but Myers is by far better upon closer review. Philly 6-3.

D-Backs vs. the Other Alcoholic Team – Vargas vs. Day – These guys should go back to the grapefruit league for real. It’s a beautiful day… good for a song, not for this pitcher. However, he does throw an even 3 at home, and that is what I will have to make my call on. Rockies 7-2.

FC Dallas vs. DC United – Soccer… well, FC Dallas has lost quite a bit of late… I will say they end that streak against DC. Why not, right? Besides, what do I know soccer anyway… FC Dallas 3-1.

Home Plate