Nov 11 2008
BAB’s National League Cy Young Award Winner: Tim Lincecum
Lincecum led the NL in strikeouts, and deserves the Cy Young Award
The National League Cy Young Award race came down to four dominant starters. Arizona’s Brandon Webb, New York’s Johan Santana, Milwaukee’s CC Sabathia and San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum.
Each can make a strong case for the award.
Webb led the league in wins. Santana led in ERA. Sabathia threw on 3 days rest and was the most dominant pitcher in the league after his trade. Lincecum led in strikeouts and win percentage.
Webb had a great year but his peripheral stats - ERA, K’s, WHIP, were not in the same league as the other three. He benefited from great run support and a strong defense and weak divisional opponents.
Sabathia pitched only half the season in the NL, while he was a valuable pitcher in his time with the Brewers, he was average at best with Cleveland and doesn’t deserve a pass for his time there while the others were pitching in the NL.
The race boils down to Lincecum and Santana, the league leaders in ERA. Lincecum is the winner here for his additional 59 strikeouts and better W-L record. 18-5 is better by enough margin than 16-7 to overlook the .09 ERA difference.
