AL Cy Young Award

Winner: C.C. Sabathia, Indians -- Story | Voting Results
User Choice: Josh Beckett, Red Sox
Scott Miller's prediction: C.C. Sabathia, Indians.
Sabathia, Boston's Josh Beckett or Fausto Carmona, a teammate of Sabathia's, could win. I think Sabathia will based not only on his 19 wins and 3.21 ERA, but on his major league leading 241 innings pitched. Obviously, this could turn controversial based on Beckett's marvelous postseason -- but that argument will be fueled only by the uneducated. The key thing to remember here is that this vote is based on regular-season performance -- ballots must be cast by the day after the regular season, and before the postseason begins.

The candidates Zack Greinke, RH, Royals Greinke’s superb pitching this season did not go unnoticed, despite pitching for the Royals (the club that finished with a .401 winning percentage). His 2.16 ERA lead the majors and was a career low and also finished second in the majors in complete games (6) and shutouts (3) and third in strikeouts (242) -- all career highs. The only blip in his season was the month of June when he went 2-2 with a 4.05 ERA. The 26-year-old has plenty of good stuff for the makings of an ace after this breakout season. IP W-L SV ERA Ks BB 229.1 16-8 0 2.16 242 51 Felix Hernandez, RH, Mariners Hernandez, like Greinke, led a mediocre team and did not see his efforts go unnoticed. He has plenty of stuff to pitch like an ace after this breakout season. Unlike Greinke though, Hernandez finished with 19 wins, tied for first in the league. He is also the only pitcher to rank in the AL top five in the three Triple Crown categories. He hit highs in wins, starts (34), ERA (2.49), innings pitched (238 2/3) and strikeouts (217). No doubt Hernandez had a huge impact on Seattle’s incredible turnaround – 61-101 and a .377 winning percentage in 2008 compared to 85-77 and a .525 winning percentage in 2009. IP W-L SV ERA Ks BB 238.2 19-5 0 2.49 217 71 CC Sabathia, LH, Yankees Of the top candidates, Sabathia is the only starter going for his second Cy Young Award. He just missed the elusive 20-win mark, but led the majors tied at 19 and matched his career-best back in 2007, his other Cy Young Award-winning season. However, his ERA and strikeout totals were just a few points off his 2007 season but nonetheless, he proved he’s capable of repeating a Cy Young season on any stage. It seems that the Yankees' big offseason acquisitions paid off, but will the unlimited Bronx payroll and All-Star lineup backfire when it comes to Sabathia’s vote tallies? IP W-L SV ERA Ks BB 230.0 19-8 0 3.37 197 67 Honorable mention: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays, Justin Verlander, Tigers

Select Award AL - Most Valuable Player NL - Most Valuable Player AL - Cy Young Award NL - Cy Young Award AL - Rookie of the Year NL - Rookie of the Year AL - Manager of the Year NL - Manager of the Year Poll Who will win the AL Cy Young Award? 72% Josh Beckett BOS   23% C.C. Sabathia CLE   2% Fausto Carmona CLE   3% Chien Ming Wang NYY   Total Votes: 17502   Past Results Year Winner 2006 Johan Santana, Minnesota 2005 Bartolo Colon, Los Angeles Angels 2004 Johan Santana, Minnesota 2003 Roy Halladay, Toronto Complete list