Arizona’s Brandon Webb, Milwaukee’s CC Sabathia, New York’s Johan Santana, and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum have emerged to be the leading candidates for the 2008 NL Cy Young Award. In part five of this series, a quick recap of all four candidates will be given.
Arizona Diamondbacks Ace: Brandon Webb
2008 Stats: 22-7, 3.30 ERA, 34 Games, 34 GS, 3 CG, 1 SHO, 226.2 Innings Pitched, 206 Hits Allowed, 13 HR Allowed, 183 Ks, .759 Winning Percentage, 1.20 WHIP, .242 Opponents’ Avg.
Webb led the Senior Circuit in wins for 2008, and finished in the top ten for ERA, Winning Percentage, Complete Games, and Innings Pitched.
However, of the four candidates Webb ranks lowest in K’s (11th in the NL), Opponent’s BA (13th in the NL), and WHIP (11th in the NL).
Webb’s numbers are solid across the board, but they reveal that he did not dominate his competition. Webb won games, but did not necessarily overpower his competition.
Milwaukee Brewers Savior: CC Sabathia
2008 (NL) Stats: 11-2, 1.65 ERA, 17 Games, 17 GS, 7 CG, 3 SHO, 130.2 Innings Pitched, 106 Hits Allowed, 6 HR allowed, 128 Ks, .846 Winning Percentage, 1.00 WHIP, .222 Opponents’ Avg.
Sabathia arrived in Milwaukee on July 8 and proceeded to carry the Brewers on his broad shoulders. Sabathia was able to lead the Brewers to their first postseason appearance in over twenty years.
Sabathia dominated after his arrival in the National League. Despite only 17 starts in the NL, Sabathia led the NL in Complete Games, and Shutouts. However, the fact that he only pitched half of the season in the NL will severely hinder his chances. Voters are only supposed to evaluate stats earned in the National League. Being that Sabathia did not finish near the top of the league in innings pitched, he fails to qualify to be a leader in ERA, Opponents’ BA, WHIP, and Winning Percentage. Additionally, the fact that there are other qualified candidates who pitched the entire season in the NL will further serve to offset his incredible numbers.
New York Mets Number One: Johan Santana
2008 Stats: 16-7, 2.53 ERA, 34 Games, 34 GS, 3 CG, 2 SHO, 234.1 Innings Pitched, 206 Hits Allowed, 23 HR Allowed, 206 Ks, .696 Winning Percentage, 1.15 WHIP, .232 Opponents’ Avg.
Santana led the National League in ERA and Innings Pitched. Santana also finished in the top ten for Strikeouts, Winning Percentage, Complete Games, and Shutouts.
The Mets brought Santana in prior to the start of the 2008 season to be the ace of the staff. Santana delivered by pitching well in big games. If it weren’t for a shaky bullpen, Santana’s numbers would be a lot better. Look for Santana’s low win total and relatively low winning percentage to hurt his chances against the other three candidates.
San Francisco Giants Sensation: Tim Lincecum
2008 Stats: 18-5, 2.62 ERA, 34 Games, 33 GS, 2 CG, 1 SHO, 227 Innings Pitched, 182 Hits Allowed, 11 HR Allowed, 265 Ks, .783 Winning Percentage, 1.17 WHIP, .221 Opponents’ Avg.
Lincecum led the National League in Strikeouts, Opponents’ Batting Average, and Winning Percentage. Lincecum also finished in the top ten in Wins, ERA, Games, Games Started, Complete Games, Shutouts, Innings Pitched, and WHIP.
The Giants phenomenal young right hander pitched at an elite level for a mediocre team. Lincecum was consistently dominant as his numbers indicate. He ranked in the top ten in nearly every major statistical pitching category. Lincecum’s numbers would be even better if it weren’t for a shaky bullpen. His team’s overall play could hurt his chances of winning the award.
Prediction
Tim Lincecum will win the 2008 National League Cy Young Award. All four of the candidates are deserving of the award, but Lincecum was the most consistently dominant pitcher of the 2008 season. Webb pitched well and won, but he did not dominate his competition. Sabathia was the NL’s best pitcher for a half season, but the award is for a full season of work. Santana was dominant for the entire season, but his lack of wins will greatly hurt his chances. In 2008, Lincecum was the best pitcher in the National League and he deserves to be recognized as such.
