MLB:Top 10 Contenders for 2011 Cy Young Award

As the All-Star break nears, these pitchers are in contention for this year's Cy Young Award. While Roy Halladay has won twice before, the others on this list are all making a case for their first.

Included in this bunch is a fistful of aces along with a couple of dark horses.

In the National League, Ian Kennedy, Cliff Lee, and Anibal Sanchez receive honorable mention.

In the American League, CC Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, and Jon Lester receive a polite nod but don't make the list.

Here are the top five from each league.  

No. 5 NL: Johnny Cueto

Despite starting the season on the DL, Johnny Cueto has made hay in his nine starts this season. This dark horse contender is 5-2 in those games with eight quality starts. Cueto has allowed no more than three ER in those starts and opponents are hitting a slim .193 against him.

In his last five starts Cueto has gone at least seven strong innings while allowing two ER or less. His ERA is 1.63 on the year is impressive but his .64 ERA in June is out of this world.

Watch for Cueto to make up ground in the second half of the season as he makes a bid for his first Cy Young Award. 

No. 4 NL: Cole Hamels

Cole Hamels is not to be taken lightly this year. His nine wins, 2.49 ERA and 108 Ks are proof that he is the real deal.

Hamels has pitched 112 innings to date with 14 quality starts in just 16 outings. Hamels holds a WHIP of .96 to this point in the season, tops in the NL. Hamels has only walked 21 batters so far and looks for his second straight 200+ K season.  He also has a 1.45 ERA in the last 30 days.

Hamels is on pace to surpass his career-high win total of 15 by late August.  

No. 3 NL: Jair Jurrjens

Jair Jurrjens is tied for tops in the NL with 10 wins. He has an ERA of 2.07 which has helped the Braves to a 45-35 record.

When healthy, Jurrjens is filthy, and he has 12 quality starts in 14 appearances this year. To this point, he has pitched 95.2 innings so he should have plenty left in the tank for the second half. He has tossed his first complete game this year and has only allowed 22 ER so far. 

No. 2 NL: Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw has been phenomenal this year. While the Dodgers are in a downward spiral with a 36-44 record and bankruptcy issues to boot, Kershaw has been a star.

This 23-year-old towering left-hander leads the majors in strike-outs with 128. He has an 8-3 record with three complete games. Kershaw has thrown two straight complete games and has two shut-outs on the year. He has an ERA of 2.93, a WHIP of 1.03 and 12 quality starts. In his last two starts, he has struck out 11 each game.

Fans in Chavez Ravine should get out and support their talented youngster.  

No. 1 NL: Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay continues to dominate hitters and eat up innings. He has thrown 127.1 innings to this point while striking out 123 batters. He has 14 quality starts, 10 wins and five complete games (63 in his career). "Doc" has a WHIP of 1.03 and has only walked 16 opponents.

While there is half a season to go, Halladay is in the forefront for his third Cy Young. 

No. 5 AL: Michael Pineda

This 6'7" rookie is a force to be reckoned with. Michael Pineda is a legitimate dark horse for the AL Cy Young this year.

He holds a 7-4 record to this point in the year with 12 quality starts. Pineda has 94 strike-outs and a 1.00 WHIP. Opponents are hitting just .199 against him and he has allowed only 26 ER. His 2.45 ERA is astounding for a rookie.

If Pineda can get some run support in Seattle, look for him to make a run for the Cy Young. 

No. 4 AL: Jared Weaver

Jared Weaver tallied one of the best April's in MLB history, winning six games. Despite a few bumps in the road since then, Weaver continues to have a stellar year. He has a 9-4 record with a 1.97 ERA. Opponents are hitting just .197 against him and he holds a .93 WHIP. Weaver has three complete games, two shutouts and 106 Ks. Weaver has a remarkable 15 quality starts in 17 games started.

Look for the Angels to make a second-half push and propel their ace to the top of Cy Young contention.  

No. 3 AL: Josh Beckett

Josh Beckett is leading the AL in ERA at 1.86. He is 6-2 on the year with 11 quality starts, a complete game shutout this year, which was a one-hit bid. Foes are batting a mere .174 against him this year and he has a WHIP of .92. In 92 innings pitched, Beckett has allowed just 19 ER.

Numbers like these thrust him to the top of Cy Young contention. If Beckett can stay healthy for the rest of the season he should remain in the running for the award.  

No. 2 AL: James Shields

James Shields is living up to his nickname "Big Game."

These days every game is a "Big Game" for Shields. In his past three starts the right-hander has gone the distance. He has six complete games on the season, an 8-4 record and an ERA of 2.29. He also has a WHIP of .96, opponents batting average of .206, and 117 Ks.

Every time this man takes the mound he is electric to watch. Shields has been exchanging blows with the AL leader, and he is a close second. The race for the AL Cy Young looks like it will come down to the last week of the season.

No. 1 AL: Justin Verlander

While James Shields is a close second in the AL, Justin Verlander is number one.

Verlander leads the MLB in WHIP(.84), innings pitched(128.2), and quality starts(16). He also leads the AL with 124 strike-outs and is tied at the top with 10 wins. Opposing batters are hitting just .178 against him and his ERA is 2.38. In June, Verlander is 5-0 and has tossed at least eight innings per. He has only allowed four ER all month while striking out 48, including a career-high 14 in his last outing.

Oh, and he has a no-hitter this year, the second of his career.

It has become apparent of late that Verlander may throw a no-no every time he takes the hill. Verlander looks like he has taken his game to a new level this year, one of Cy Young caliber.