Power Ranking MLB's Top Cy Young Contenders at All-Star Break

Major League Baseball's Cy Young Award is always a subject of debate, as is any award.

While there are some cases where one pitcher clearly trumps the competition, close battles often come down to what you value most in a pitcher.

Heading into the 2012 MLB All-Star break, there are plenty of contenders in both the National League and American League.

Here are my top contenders thus far in the 2012 baseball season.

National League

3. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds

After realizing his potential in 2011, Johnny Cueto has looked even better in 2012, posting a 10-5 record, 2.39 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 120.1 innings. Batters have hit .250 against him, though, so he's been skating on thin ice plenty of times.

The Reds currently hold a wild-card spot in the National League, one game behind the NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates. Cueto is a big reason for that.

2. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants

In 120.1 innings this season, Matt Cain is 9-3 with a 2.62 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. He's also racked up 118 strikeouts in that span while holding opponents to a .209 batting average.

With two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum struggling this season, Cain has stepped up as a legitimate ace for the Giants. Of course, Giants fans knew he was an ace in a No. 2 role all along.

The Giants are also 46-40 this season, contending for a wild-card spot.

Cain ranks ahead of Cueto in my book because he puts less pressure on the defense with his strikeouts and batting average against (BAA). Oh yeah, he also pitched that perfect game on June 13.

1. R.A. Dickey, New York Mets

R.A. Dickey joins only three other pitchers in the NL to pitch at least 120 innings thus far. The 37-year-old knuckleballer has made those innings count, too.

Dickey is coming off an uncharacteristic performance, but he still finished the first half with a 12-1 record, 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 120 innings. He's also held opponents to a .203 batting average, third-best among qualified pitchers in the NL.

On top of that, the Mets are 46-40 and in the wild-card chase, which is shocking given general preseason expectations.

American League

3. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels

The No. 3 spot was a tough choice for me (I also had Jake Peavy and David Price). Despite Weaver missing time on the 15-day DL, you can't deny his impact when he's been on the mound.

Weaver has posted a 10-1 record, 1.96 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 15 starts this year. Batters are hitting .188 against him. He also owns two complete games, with one no-hitter. He's basically had three bad starts all season.

If Weaver keeps pitching like this and avoids injury in the second half, he could very well win the Cy Young award.  

2. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

Chris Sale has only pitched 102.2 innings this season, but you can't ignore the rest of his numbers.

Sale has a 10-2 record, 2.19 ERA, 0.96 WHIP with 98 strikeouts in that span. He also has held opponents to a .198 batting average, second-best in the AL.

He's a big reason the surprising White Sox are 47-38 and leading the AL Central by three games.

1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Who else?

The reigning AL MVP and Cy Young winner is arguably the best pitcher in baseball right now.

Verlander has posted a 9-5 record with a 2.58 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 128 strikeouts in 132.2 innings pitched. The Tigers are a disappointing 44-42 at the break, but that has nothing to do with Verlander.

Verlander has five complete games this season, including one shutout. 

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