National League
5. Jake Arrieta (Chicago Cubs)
Jake Arrieta was absolutely dominant in 2015, winning the NL Cy Young after posting a 22-6 record with a 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP. However, he fell off a bit in 2016, going 18-8, which is still quite impressive, with a 3.10 ERA and 1.08 WHIP.
Ultimately, above all else, Arrieta and the Cubs got what they wanted, ending Chicago’s long and storied World Series drought by capping off an incredible comeback over the Cleveland Indians.
But 2017 represents quite a change for Arrieta. He’s coming off of an uninspiring season — at least in comparison to years past — and will be looking for a massive free agent contract in 2018. In order to land such a deal, he must turn back the clocks and return to his 2015 form. And as we see in most sports, players tend to step up with big performances during contract years.
Of course, in a potential bid to win the NL Cy Young award, Arrieta has a lot of competition, and some of it comes from his own teammates. Jon Lester, who has taken over the top role in Chicago’s rotation, is also considered a potential Cy Young favorite and could steal some of Arrieta’s thunder.
4. Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco Giants)
Madison Bumgarner has been in the NL Cy Young race in five of the last six years, but has never finished higher than fourth. In 2017, he’ll look to improve upon that and his 15-9 record from a season ago.
With a career ERA of 2.99, Bumgarner has been one of the most consistently dominant pitchers in baseball. He’s also an innings hog who is good for several complete games each season — a unique feat in an age where pitchers are often given an innings or pitch limit, and strong bullpens are a top priority.
Last season, in addition to his 15-9 record, Bumgarner finished with a career-best 2.74 ERA and 10 SO/9. His WHIP was an impressive 1.03 and he had a career-high 251 strikeouts in 226.2 inning pitched.
Highly decorated, Bumgarner has three World Series rings, a World Series MVP award, an NCLS MVP award, a Babe Ruth award and countless other honors. And now he’d like to add Cy Young to that long list of accolades.
3. Noah Syndergaard (New York Mets)
Noah Syndergaard, a young superstar who is only entering his third professional season, is poised to erupt in 2017 and it’s expected he will thrust himself into the NL Cy Young race where he finished eighth a season ago. And similarly to some other pitchers on this list, he’ll do so with a significant chip on his shoulder.
Despite being discussed as a potential Cy Young candidate a season ago, Syndergaard wasn’t considered a finalist, and that did not sit well with him.
Although the Mets ace did lead the league with an impressive 2.29 FIP, his record of 14-9 likely prevented him from receiving additional support. But if he can put up similar numbers — 2.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.7 SO/9 — and generate a higher win total this season, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be toward the head of the class.
Of course, one thing that could hurt Syndergaard’s chances is the presence of teammate Jacob deGrom (and maybe even Matt Harvey), who is also a potential Cy Young candidate and may steal some of the support away from Thor.
2. Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals)
The reigning NL Cy Young award winner, Max Scherzer is poised to follow up his 20-win campaign with another impressive season in 2017. And given that he’s now won both an NL and AL Cy Young, it’s clear he knows what it takes to rise to the top.
Scherzer finished the 2016 campaign with a record of 20-7, a 2.96 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He struck out 284 batters over 228.1 innings and allowed only 54 walks. Those numbers also landed him in the MVP race where he finished 10th.
Whether or not Scherzer can win back-to-back Cy Young awards remains to be seen, but his recent run is nothing short of remarkable. He’s led the league in wins three of the last four seasons, led the NL in strikeouts in 2016, matched an MLB record for strikeouts in single game, and tossed two no-hitters in 2015. Scherzer has also been an All-Star in each of this last four seasons.
Ultimately, Scherzer has a good a chance as any to win the NL Cy Young in 2017, but he’ll have some stiff competition — especially from the next guy on our list.
1. Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Clayton Kershaw is no stranger to the NL Cy Young award, having won it three times in his career (2011, 2013, 2014). At one point last year, he was again considered a favorite for not only the Cy Young award, but also the NL MVP award.
Ultimately, injuries shortened Kershaw’s season, and while he was named an All-Star for the sixth time in his career, he finished fifth in Cy Young voting.
But even with injuries riddling his 2016 campaign, barely allowing for any consistent routine to take shape, Kershaw battled his way through 21 starts, finishing 12-4 with a career-best 1.69 ERA and 0.73 WHIP. He struck out 172 batters in 149 innings and, perhaps most impressive of all, allowed only 11 walks.
Those numbers are remarkable any way you slice it, so it should come as not surprise that Kershaw enters the 2017 season as the odds-on favorite to win the NL Cy Young for the fourth time in his career. And given that he now has a chip on his shoulder, we might be in store for his best season yet.
