Top 5 2010 AL Cy Young Candidates

Top 5 2010 AL Cy Young Candidates

5. Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox

Stats

Record: 13-7

ERA: 2.80

WHIP: 1.13

I'm sure you've heard the story of Lester's battle/victory/comeback from lymphoma, and how less than 2 years later, he won the final game of the 2007 World Series.  This year, despite lots of injuries around him, Lester has been a consistent piece to the Boston Red Sox staff 

4. Trevor Cahill, Oakland Athletics

Stats

Record: 13-5

ERA: 2.54 

WHIP: 0.99

Trevor Cahill isn't necessarily a household name to everyone in the baseball world, but he should be.  Cahill is at the top of the league in major pitching categories such like WHIP and ERA, he has become the leader of a young, up-and-coming pitching staff for the Oakland A's that will have to continue to pitch well if the A's want to stay in the race for the playoffs.     

3. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

Stats

Record: 15-5 

ERA: 2.85

WHIP: 1.26 

After his call-up at the end of the 2008 season for the Rays surprise run to the World Series and pitching as well as he did, Price was set up to have a huge season in 2009.  He fell off a little bit in 2009, but he has become the pitcher we all thought he would become in 2010.

2. Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox

Stats

14-5

2.36 ERA (Leads AL)

1.19 WHIP

Buchholz burst onto the scene by throwing a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles in 2007 in just his second start.  Pitching on a staff that includes John Lester, Josh Beckett, and John Lackey, Buchholz has managed to stay under the radar.  But as you can see this season, Buchholz has been more productive than all of the big names.

1. Cliff Lee, Texas Rangers

Stats

Record: 10-6 (2-3 since trade to Texas)

ERA: 2.77  

WHIP: 0.95 (Leads AL) 

After being cast off to the Mariners in favor of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee continued to do what he does best; be productive.  Lee's best asset is his ability to eat up innings, as evident by his 7 complete games (best in the AL).  Add in a sub-3.00 ERA and a league-leading 0.95 WHIP and Cliff Lee is your pick for 2010 AL Cy Young.