5 Reasons Mariners' Felix Hernandez Should Win the Cy Young

Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners is unquestionably one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball.  He doesn't get too much attention though, as he pitches in Seattle, where games normally start around bedtime on the east coast.

Hernandez put together a Cy Young-caliber resume last year, though the award was given to Royals pitcher Zack Greinke.  This year, he faces an uphill battle against CC Sabathia, Jon Lester, and Cliff Lee.

So, while he most likely won't win the award, it's not because he's not deserving.  Here are five strong reasons why Hernandez should be the 2010 American League Cy Young award winner:

5. He's a Workhorse

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO - JULY 26: Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners delivers the ball against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on July 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Mariners 6-1. (Photo by Jonathan Danie

Hernandez has thrown 241.2 innings so far this year, 12 more innings than C.C. Sabathia (who ranks second in the AL). 

With so many pitchers ending up on the DL these days, Hernandez's stamina and durability is very impressive.  It's really helpful for a manager to know that once every five games, he won't have to worry about who's on the mound.  Innings pitched is one of the most underrated stats for pitchers today.

4. He is Second in the Majors in Strikeouts

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - JUNE 24: Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners congratulates shortstop Jack Wilson #2 after he threw out Marlon Byrd to end the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Safeco Field on June 24, 2010 in Seattle, Washingto

Only the Angels' Jered Weaver (229) has been better than Hernandez (227) at missing bats this season.   Sabathia and Lee both have less than 200 strikeouts.

Strikeouts are another statistic that shows how well a pitcher is doing individually.  In fact, it is the best way for a pitcher to help himself.  He doesn't give the fielders a chance to make errors behind him.

The biggest negative side effect of strikeouts is that they raise pitch counts.  But, as stated earlier, King Felix leads the league in innings pitched, so he's been using strikeouts effectively.

3. Wins are an Overrated Stat

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 16: Felix Hernandez #34 and Kenji Johjima #2 of the Seattle Mariners celebrate after defeating the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on April 16, 2008 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacob

Zack Greinke won the Cy Young last year with only 16 wins.  Hernandez will probably finish the year with 12 or 13 wins, but that doesn't mean he's been any less dominant.

Wins are more of a reflection of a team than of a pitcher's individual performance.  The Mariners offense has been atrocious this year, providing very little run support for their ace.

A more accurate measure of a pitcher's performance is the quality start.  If a pitcher goes six or more innings and allows three or fewer earned runs, it is considered a quality start.  It basically means a pitcher has given his team a reasonable chance to win the game.

Speaking of quality starts...

2. Felix Hernandez Leads the Majors in Quality Starts

Brad White/Getty Images

TORONTO - SEPTEMBER 23: Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners points to a fly ball during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays on September 23, 2010 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays defeated the Mariners 1-0. (Photo by

King Felix has 29 quality starts this year.  C.C. Sabathia, Adam Wainwright, and Jered Weaver are tied for second with 25 a piece.

If both CC and Wainwright have 20 wins, is it really Hernandez's fault that he only has 10 wins?  He's given his team a good chance of winning in 29 of his 33 starts.  That's amazing.

1. He Has the Lowest ERA of Any Starter in the American League

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - JULY 10: Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after defeating the New York Yankees 4-1 at Safeco Field on July 10, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

With an ERA of 2.31, Hernandez is second in the majors, behind only Florida's Josh Johnson (2.30), who could not stay healthy for the whole season.

Cy Young contenders C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee have ERAs nearly a whole run higher, 3.26 and 3.29, respectively.

So, with Hernandez ranked second in Major League Baseball in strikeouts and ERA and first in innings pitched, doesn't that make him the best pitcher in the league?  Therefore, he should win the Cy Young award.  It's not his fault he's stuck with a historically bad Mariners offense.