All in all, this award is going to come down to the best player on whichever team wins the American League Central. Right now, Carlos Quentin would be the front-runner, but he will have to avoid any second half slumping. Ian Kinsler and Josh Hamilton will both challenge, especially if the Ranger make a legitimate run. Prediction: Justin Morneau.  

Cy Young to date 

Roy Halladay—Doc is having arguably the best season of his career. Unfortunately, the Jays hitting has stunk, otherwise my Jays for the wild-card pick wouldn't look so bad. Halladay's ability to give the Jays' bullpen a night off on seven of his 19 starts has been phenomenal and justifies my pick here.  

Halladay is also a good enough pitcher to continue the success he is having. Unfortunately, the Baseball Writers of America (BBWA) do not care how good a player performed, they care about how a player performs, and they care about how a player performs relative to his team.

Currently, Doc has 11 wins, but I have a tough time seeing him surpass 16 win unless the Jays really turn things around. That will be what holds him back.  

John Lackey and Cliff Lee have both been otherworldly. Lee has the least likely chance of winning the award, simply because the Indians have stunk. Although, when Martinez and Hafner return, the Indians could hurt a lot of teams' playoff dreams. On the other hand, Lackey is the typical BBWA Cy Young pitcher—posting solid numbers and performing on a playoff caliber team.  

Similar to the situation my preseason MVP, Grady Sizemore, finds himself in, my preseason Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez is playing phenomenal baseball for a terrible team. In March, I predicted the Mariners to win "a lot of games" and for the Mariners to subsequently win the division.

I also envisioned Hernandez being the centerpiece of this success, en route to far and away leading the league in wins, while taking the next step in his development as a pitcher.

Hernandez is having an outstanding season and is holding up his end of my prediction, sitting with the sixth best Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) in the American League. Unfortunately, the Mariners suck.  

Cy Young by seasons end

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