Lance Lynn, Cole Hamels and the Challengers for the NL Cy Young

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With the baseball season just a quarter of the way through, there have already been some pitchers who have established themselves as a cut above the rest.

When talking about the Cy Young award, 20 has become the magic number. Win 20 games, get instant consideration, and rightly so.

Our list consists of five pitchers who are well over the pace to win 20 games this year despite playing for such a short time.

2012 could perhaps be the tightest race for Cy Young we've seen in recent memory.

Washington Nationals: Gio Gonzalez

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2012 Stats Thus Far:

7-1 record

2.04 ERA, 0.94 WHIP

79 SO, 25 BB

Gio Gonzalez is doing exactly what he was brought in to Washington for—striking batters out, winning games and providing an excellent No. 2 to Stephen Strasburg, the face of the franchise.

Teams that can consider their first two starting pitchers aces, usually designating them 1A and 1B, more often than not contend for a World Series Championship.

New York Mets: RA Dickey

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2012 Stats Thus Far:

7-1 record

3.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP

61 SO, 17 BB

With a -23 run differential, it's a wonder the Mets aren't cellar dwellers. 

Seven of those wins can be accredited to 37-year-old RA Dickey. 

It goes without saying that Dickey is on pace for a career year in terms of wins and is pitching well below his career average of a 4.25 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP.

Out of all the players on this list, it is likely Dickey is the only one that might not be with the team he started with at the beginning of the season.

If the Mets are smart, they'll sell Dickey to the highest bidder, his value will never be higher. 

Philadelphia Phillies: Cole Hamels

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2012 Stats Thus Far:

8-1 record

2.43 ERA, 1.01 WHIP

72 SO, 14 BB

Hamels has returned to his World Series winning form. Phillies' closer Jonathan Papelbon is a fine choice for Cy Young as well, but it's too early to tell which closers and relief pitchers have established themselves as the most dominant. 

With Roy Halladay's recent injury, the Phillies are going to have to rely on Hamels now more than ever.

Cole is a great young pitcher who already has an established resume and is looking for a third trip to the World Series in his short career. 

Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Capuano

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2012 Stats Thus Far:

7-1 record

2.14 ERA, 1.00 WHIP

58 SO, 21 BB

The Dodgers are the most dominant team in the National League if not the entire majors, and Chris Capuano is a big part it. 

The former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher is having himself an even better year than he did in 2005 when he won 18 games for the Brew Crew. 

Like RA Dickey, Capuano is pitching well below his career averages of 4.25 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. 

The Dodgers are poised for a title run, and Capuano would love nothing more than to finally win the big one. 

St. Louis Cardinals: Lance Lynn

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2012 Stats Thus Far:

8-1 record

2.54 ERA, 1.07 WHIP

60 SO, 20 BB

The second-year pro is on a tear.

The former relief pitcher is building himself in the same mold as Adam Wainwright did when he was a reliever himself when the Cardinals defeated the Detroit Tigers in the World Series. 

Lynn and Hamels are the majors' only two eight-game winners so far. 

St. Louis and Cincinnati are in a day-to-day struggle for control of the NL Central crown, and if the Cards hope to win, they'll need Lynn to be automatic every time he steps up to the plate.