NATIONAL LEAGUE
Mikolas probably won’t win this award, but he’s put himself on the map with a very strong season. He’s been an astonishing revelation since the Cardinals brought him back over from Japan, where he’s posted a 2.80 ERA and a 13-3 record so far. That record will look good to the old-school voters, who could reward Mikolas with a few votes even though he’s lagging behind his peers in other categories.
4) Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks
Greinke looked like he was going to prove a disastrous signing in Arizona after an underwhelming first season, but for the second straight year, he’s justifying the investment with a season worthy of awards consideration. His ERA is at 3.06, and while he’s not quite as dominant as he has been in years past, he’s still avoiding the walks and striking out a batter an inning. He probably won’t win it, but he’ll get a few votes down the ballot.
Nola is the first real contender, having blossomed into a clear ace in 2018. He’s won 14 games with a 2.24 ERA, limiting home runs despite not being a strikeout-heavy pitcher like other NL stars. In many other years, he’d be a clear contender to win it as the ace of a staff on a potential playoff team. He might have to settle for third, but he’ll contend for more of these awards in the future.
deGrom might still win this award. He has the best ERA in the National League at 1.71, is striking out 11 batters per nine innings, doesn’t allow home runs, and has a WHIP under one. What he doesn’t have is the wins. He only has eight wins because of an offense that has offered him an unprecedented lack of run support. This shouldn’t matter, but to some voters it will. It’s why he’s not the favorite, even if he may deserve to be.
Scherzer has the resume that everyone can agree on. His 2.11 ERA is second in the NL. His 234 strikeouts lead the league. He also leads the NL with 16 wins. He has the lowest WHIP. He’s allowed a few more runs than deGrom has, but he’s been more dominant in other departments, which should be the tiebreaker in his candidacy. He looks like he’s in great shape to become the first pitcher to win three consecutive Cy Young Awards since Randy Johnson managed four in a row from 1999-2002. He’s in rare company indeed.
