The MLB CY Young award is given out to the best pitcher from each league at the end of every regular season. The American League has a ton of deserving candidates for the CY Young award this season. Let’s dive into the MLB AL CY Young rankings for the month of August.
Justin Verlander, SP, Houston Astros
Justin Verlander, 97mph on his 101st pitch.
And is Fired up. Inject this into my veins. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cThY0066OG
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 23, 2022
W-L Record: 14-3
ERA: 1.81
Innings Pitched: 124.0
WHIP: 0.871
Strikeouts: 122
WAR: 3.8
For the last nearly 20 years, Justin Verlander has dominated professional baseball. The dominance has continued over to this year. A lot of people have expected that father time would catch up to Verlander and he would see a decline throughout the year. But that hasn’t been the case. It has actually been far from the case. Verlander has just gotten better with age and better as this season has gone on. He made four starts in July and went 4-0 while posting an incredible 1.01 ERA. He allowed just three earned runs in the entire month. It was an absolute incredible month for the aging star.
Dylan Cease, SP, Chicago White Sox
Dylan Cease, Unfair Sliders. 😯 pic.twitter.com/jJkQscKbuJ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 31, 2022
W-L Record: 11-4
ERA: 2.01
Innings Pitched: 116.66
WHIP: 1.174
Strikeouts: 161
WAR: 3.8
There isn’t a pitcher in baseball that is as hot as Dylan Cease right now. There might not be many pitchers who have EVER been as hot as Cease is now. In fact, he joins Jake Arrieta and Jacob DeGrom as the only pitchers to ever go a 12-start stretch and allow 4 earned runs or less. He totaled 27.33 innings in June and allowed just 1 earned run, which is good for a 0.33 ERA for the month. In July, he recorded 35.66 innings and allowed just 3 earned runs while recorded a whopping 40 strikeouts. His hot streak has been other-worldly and he has shown no signs of slowing down. The 2022 breakout star has been as good as anybody.
Shane McClanahan, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Shane McClanahan, White Castle Special. 🤮🍔🍔🍔 pic.twitter.com/u7sQ9hESno
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 27, 2022
W-L Record: 10-4
ERA: 2.07
Innings Pitched: 122.0
WHIP: 0.828
Strikeouts: 158
WAR: 3.7
Shane McClanahan has been at the top of this list for the majority of the year, with good reason. McClanahan represented the American League as the starting pitcher in the 2022 All-Star Game. McClanahan has been tremendous for the entire season, but his most recent start wasn’t too impressive. He surrendered 5 runs in his 4.33 innings and it drove his ERA up from 1.76 to 2.07. This start alone moved him back a few spots in the top 10 in the MLB for ERA. Pitching in the best division in baseball might be the most impressive part of Mcclanahan’s resume. But it could also be the reason that his season doesn’t finish as good as Cease or Verlander.
Prediction: Dylan Cease, SP, Chicago White Sox
This is going to come as a surprise to many. Just like it was a surprise to many when he burst onto the scene this year. He left baseball fans wondering, “Who is this guy?” This guy is Dylan Cease. And he is the hottest pitcher in baseball. He is the leader of the White Sox pitching staff and he is just getting better. Now, his counting numbers aren’t as good as his competition right now, but this prediction is rooted in the prediction that he will continue his dominance for a good while longer. Dylan Cease doesn’t have the award locked up, far from it actually. But with the way he is pitching, this is an award that Cease is going to steal and bring home with him.
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