MLB regular season awards: AL Cy Young.

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MINNEAPOLIS - APRIL 9: Pitcher Johan Santana #57 of the Minnesota Twins holds his 2004 Cy Young trophy that was presented to him before the start of the Twins' American League game against the Chicago White Sox at the Metrodome April 9, 2005 in Minneapol

This was the toughest award to decide. There are six legitimate contenders including 3 top flight aces on mediocre to poor teams, the best closer ever having his best year ever and two more stud pitchers with 19 wins on contending teams (should have been two playoff teams if it wasn't for the massive Mets sized choke of the Tigers). So go into this list with an open mind because it wasn't easy but it is right.

Winner: Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez.

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 18: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game against the New York Yankees on September 18, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

19 wins 5 losses, 2.49 ERA, 217 SO, 239 IP, 2 CG, 1 SHO.
Hernandez wasn't exactly on the radar this season. For starters he plays in Seattle which is about as far away from the east coast as possible. He also played on a solid Mariners team but they were never quite in contention for the AL west. What does set Hernandez apart is his dominance in every category Hernandez was at or near the top. His ERA was better than Sabathia, Halladay and Verlander. He threw as many innings as anybody and had the least amount of losses compiling an amazing 19-5 record.

2. Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke.

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals pitches during the 2009 MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

16-8, 2.16 ERA, 242 SO, 229 IP, 6 CG, 3 SHO.
Greinke finally got his head issues together and put together one of the most impressive seasons since Pedro was in his prime. His 2.16 ERA in this era is very impressive. He also put up great numbers on a terrible team similar to Tim Lincecum's Cy Young last year. He was second in strikeouts and first in ERA for starting pitchers, but it was his inconsistencies that landed him at number two.

3. New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Mariano Rivera #42 and Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Twins to win Game One of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New

1.76 ERA, 44 saves, 2 blown saves, 72 SO in 66 innings.
This was arguably Rivera's best regular season of his hall of fame career. He led all pitchers in ERA, only blew two saves and had 72 strikeouts in 66 innings.

4. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roy Halladay.

ST. LOUIS, MO - JULY 14: American League All-Star Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the 2009 MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on July 14, 2009 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)

17-10, 2.79 ERA, 208 SO, 239 IP, 9 CG, 4 SHO.
No other pitcher in baseball has to carry the weight that Doc Halladay does. He threw a league leading 9 complete games and 4 shutouts. His record might not be as pretty as Verlander or Sabathia but that is no fault of his own his era is more than a full half run better than both of those pitchers.

5. Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander.

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 24: Pitcher Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers sets to throw a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 24, 2009 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

19-9, 3.45 ERA, 269 SO, 240 IP, 3 CG, 1 SHO.
Verlander led or tied for the lead the AL in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. His only set back was his earned run average which is more than a run higher than Greinke and almost a run higher than Hernandez.

6. New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia.

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Starting pitcher CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees deals against the Minnesota Twins in Game One of the ALDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by

19-8, 3.37 ERA, 197 SO, 230 IP, 2 CG, 1 SHO.
Sabathia's first year in New York was a success he was tied for the lead in wins. What puts him at the bottom of this list is every other category. His ERA is second worst, he also has the least amount of strikeouts for starting pitchers. Ultimately Sabathia's season will come down to how he pitches in October and hopefully for him November.

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