Early Cy Young Look - AL

Earlier in the week, I promised I'd dive into the AL, and I'm here to deliver on the promise.  While the AL Cy Young competition doesn't excite me as much as the NL, there's no question that some of the top arms in the bigs are in the DH league. Here's a look at the top 5:

1. Justin Verlander, DET


Justin Verlander


You could probably stop the list right here and be alright.  Verlander has already thrown a no-hitter this season, and just missed a second.  In fact, he's so good, you almost expect a complete game shutout every time he takes the hill. 

The numbers are outstanding- 0.89 WHIP (best in MLB), 10 wins (T-1st - AL), 124 strikeouts (1st in AL), and a 2.38 ERA (4th in AL).  Opponents are hitting a mere .176 against him. 

Combine the fact he plays for a decent team, and Verlander becomes the clear front-runner.  No offense to the other guys on this list, but at this point in the season, it's all academic after Verlander right now.

2. Jered Weaver, LAA

Remember how quick this guy got out of the gates?  And then how quick he slowed down?  Well, he's found a much more sustainable pace this time, and hasn't lost in close to a month. 

Weaver has put up some great numbers- 9 wins (2nd in AL), a 0.93 WHIP (2nd in AL), a 1.97 ERA (1st in AL), and 106 strikeouts (5th in AL).  He's also thrown 3 complete games, 2 of them shutouts, and opponents are hitting just .196 against him.

Hard to believe he's not leading the pack with those numbers, but Verlander has been that good.  I don't have any qualms saying Weaver would be the front runner in the other league, but that's the world we live in.

3. James Shields, TB

The triumphant return of Big Game James is here.  Personally, I was never worried.

Cliff Lee may be stealing all the headlines in the complete games department (3 shutouts in a row), but Shields has quietly thrown 6 CG this year, 3 of them shutouts.  THATS RIGHT- I said 6.  There are a lot of guys that won't throw 6 CG's in their career- yet alone in the first three months of a season.  Shields has only started 16 games this season- so he's going the distance about once every three times out- now that's old school right there.

Shields' number are outstanding - 0.96 WHIP, 2.28 ERA, 117 K's, and 8 wins- all in the top 10 in the AL. 

I'm not sure the Rays will still be willing to trade Shields, but he was on the block at one point.  If the Rays are dealing, someone will call.  He's only due to make $4 million this year, and just $2 million next.  Even if he completely tanks next season, it's a very small gamble.

4. Josh Beckett, BOS

I feel shaky putting Beckett on this list, especially with the time on the DL and the injury history.  The problem with not putting him on the list is when Beckett has been on the mound this year, he's been outstanding:  A 0.93 WHIP (2nd in AL), 2.20 ERA (2nd in AL), and 80 K's in just 90 IP.  Opponents are hitting just .176 against him this season.

His walk total has been a little high- 30 BB in 90 IP, but is not completely out of line given the 80 K's.  It finally looks like the Beckett of old is back, and just in time given the injuries to Dice-K and Bucholz.  If there's a team out there that might look for another arm for a stretch run, call me crazy, but I think Boston will be the first to pick up the phone.

5.  Felix Hernandez, SEA

I really struggled to fill the fifth and final spot in this list, so I took the east road and went with the reigning winner.  Hernandez has been good, but not great- 3.19 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 116 K's, and 8 wins.  Really, once you get past #1 on this list, it doesn't much matter.

Honorable Mention: Michael Pineda, SEA; David Price, TB; Dan Haren, LAA

Coming later this week: The best MLB pitching staffs.  Let the debate begin.