Top Five NL Cy Young Candidates

Justin AltmanAug 7, 2010

Here are the top five Cy Young candidates for 2010.

5. Tim Hudson: Atlanta Braves

1 of 5

Tim Hudson has certainly been a pleasant surprise for Bobby Cox in his last season as manager of Atlanta. Hudson has been a good pitcher for a long time with a big "if"—"if" he's healthy.

With 12 wins and an astounding 2.36 ERA this season, Hudson could be a dark horse candidate for the Cy Young in a strong year for NL pitching.

4. Ubaldo Jimenez: Colorado Rockies

2 of 5

Ubaldo Jimenez was the talk of baseball throughout the first half of the season. A 15-1 record, 2.20 ERA, and a no-hitter against the Braves earned him the National League's starting spot in the All-Star Game in Anaheim.

Still atop the league with 17 wins, Jimenez has continued to dominate with his electric fastball and will be in the Cy Young race deep into the season.

3. Josh Johnson: Florida Marlins

3 of 5

Josh Johnson doesn't get nearly the publicity he deserves as the league's leader in ERA.

When you google "Josh Johnson," many of the first results pertain to Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup QB by the same name.

But Josh Johnson is having a breakout season, near the top of the NL in just about every major pitching category.

TOP NEWS

2. Roy Halladay: Philadelphia Phillies

4 of 5

The key piece in the blockbuster trade of the off-season hasn't disappointed.

After moving from the torturous AL East, Halladay has even further cemented himself as one of the dominant pitchers in baseball.

Halladay's 2010 season was highlighted by acing the Marlins on May 29, and he has continued to eat up innings and mow down batters throughout the season.

1. Adam Wainwright: St. Louis Cardinals

5 of 5

Often when you talk about the St. Louis pitching staff, the first name that comes to mind is Chris Carpenter.

However thus far this season, Wainwright has, through performance, made himself the ace of the staff.

In the top five in the NL in just about every major pitching category (including second in the MLB in both wins and ERA), Wainwright is the early favorite for the Cy Young this season.