Why Greinke Is the Midseason AL Cy Young Winner

Now that we are at the All-Star break, it's now time to talk about midseason awards.  One midseason award that has been a hot topic is the AL Cy Young.  Lets be honest, its really a four horse race with Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay, Josh Beckett, and Justin Verlander.  All three are premier pitchers in the game today, but you cannot give the award to three people.  So that's why I am going to tell you why Zack Greinke is the midseason Cy Young winner.

Lets now discuss why I chose Greinke and I am going to start with ERA.  Greinke's ERA is an AL best 2.12, compare that with Halladay's 2.85, Beckett's 3.35, and Verlander's 3.38 ERA. 

Unlike Beckett and Verlander, Greinke has not earned more than five runs in any of his starts.  And when Greinke has earned five runs it was only once on June 5th at Toronto.  That compares to Halladay who has earned five runs on three separate occasions. 

Greinke leads the four in an often overlooked stat and that's WHIP (walks hits per innings pitched).  Greinke has a microscopic 1.08 WHIP, which leads Halladay's 1.10, Beckett's 1.15, and Verlander's 1.19. 

Greinke has also only given up four home runs this year.  Halladay, Beckett, and Verlander have all given up over twice as many, giving up 10 homers this year. 

Greinke also has thrown an astounding five complete games with two being shutouts.  Compare that to Halladay's three complete games.  Beckett and Verlander only have two to compare. 

I know some of you are saying that all three have fewer losses.  Well I thought of that as for the losses all I have to say is Kansas City Royals.  There was a game this year on May 9th at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in which he gave up one run and lost 1-0.  Could you imagine Greinke's record if he played for a premier team.

Now you see why I think Zack Greinke is the midseason AL Cy Young winner.  All four are outstanding pitchers, and I can tell you first hand how great Beckett is seeing him live about three weeks ago in Atlanta in which he pitched seven shutout innings.  Do I think Greinke will win the Cy Young at the end of the year?  No I don't, I think the innings will grate on him and playing in Kansas City will hurt him.  We still cannot discount what he has done thus far.