By Jordan Long
New York Met’s pitcher Jacob deGrom had his last start of the 2018 season. He pitched 8 innings allowing only 2 hits and no earned runs. New York won the game 3-0. DeGrom lowered his ERA this season to 1.70. He may win the Cy Young award.
deGrom has been unbelievable this season. He is the Mets’ top pitcher in an otherwise disappointing season. deGrom picks his spots and hitters aren’t able to catch up with his pitches. Batters swing and most of the time it is a strikeout with a total of 269. He didn’t leave the ball up in the zone for home runs, giving up an outstanding 10 home runs all season.
Looking at his ERA and strikeouts, he is deserving of the award. There are two problems with him winning it. First is his record. He started 32 games this season. In those starts his record is 10-9, one game above .500, not Cy Young material. The second is the Mets record in general. They are not going to make the playoffs nor are they going to have a .500 record as they stand at 74-84.
There are other pitchers in the National League who will have a chance to win the Cy Young besides DeGrom. Max Scharzer leads the National League with 18 wins and strikeouts with 300. He is just like DeGrom whose team is not going to make the playoffs.
There are two other pitchers who are on winning teams who are also in the mix. Jon Lester, pitcher for the Cubs has 17 victories. The Cubs have clinched a playoff spot. Lester has struck out 146 batters. Lester didn’t keep the ball down in the zone as much as DeGrom, giving up 24 home runs. His ERA isn’t outstanding at 3.43.
Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland is also worthy. He has 16 wins for the Rockies who are in position to win the National League West for the first time in their franchise history. Freeland is able to pick his spots and it makes it difficult for hitters. He totaled 169 strikeouts. Unlike Lester, Freeland doesn’t give up the long ball with 17 home runs. His ERA is 2.84.
All of these pitchers are in the conversation to win the National League Cy Young Award. There is not a clear cut winner. The Baseball Writers Association Of America have a tough choice deciding who to give the award to once the year is over.
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