2011 Cy Young Awards

Verlander and Kershaw

 

I'm a proponent of advanced stats, but I think to not give the N.L. Cy Young Award to Kershaw would be seriously overthinking it.

 

Like I said, I think the three are close enough to be configured in any way, but Kershaw's pretty ERA has been a moderate beneficiary of the "earned/unearned" run silliness.

 

How so?

Halladay's RA: 2.50
Kershaw's RA: 2.55

Seems pretty close, no?

 

Considering how much more hitter friendly Citizen Bank Park is, I don't think it's outrageous at all to put Halladay or Lee ahead of Kershaw. Personally my pick is Kershaw, but it's amazing just how close all 3 of them are stats wise this year.

 

Yes it is close, but you reward the Triple Crown. You can get into all the advanced stats you want but Kershaw has done something historic this season in my eyes.

As far as Verlander getting MVP too, absolutely not. It's not that it should never happen but when a hitter has a truly great season, a pitcher should never steal it. Adrian Gonzalez, Jose Bautista and Miguel Cabrera all have MVP quality seasons.

Cabrera kind of snuck in but my vote would go to him. Detroit's great second half is as much about him as Verlander. Won the batting title, had 100 RBI-100 run season, 100+ walks, 30 home runs, league leading 48 doubles, OPS over 1.000.