Erikkk the Cy Young Darkkkkhorse?
It seems like an equation where the answer has already been solved. Twenty-eight ballots (one each from 2 sportswriters in the 14 American League cities), one name, one seemingly unanimous selection: Boston Red Sox righty Josh Beckett as the 2007 AL Cy Young Award Winner.
The algebraic conclusion here is based on stats: Beckett compiled his 20-7 record for baseball’s best team; he struck out 194 batters in 200+ innings; he dominated down the stretch, compiling 7 wins in 10 starts after August 1st.
But the equation isn’t exactly so rudimentary.
Consider the following:
C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland’s burly left-hander was both a workhorse and an elite ace down the stretch for the American League’s most surprising playoff team. His Cy Young resume is littered with accolades: 246 innings pitched, a 3.21 ERA and almost-unheard-of walk total of 37 (in 246 innings!).
For all of Sabathia’s worthy accomplishments, his candidacy does seem to be damaged by his .259 opponent batting average against (highest among those discussed here). Despite this tarnish on an otherwise glowing season, Sabathia does have to be considered 1B to Beckett’s 1A.
Fausto Carmona, Sabathia’s teammate—who, despite being 70 lbs lighter than Sabathia-- still brings his own brand of fireballing fastballs to the mound and has to be considered another Cy Young frontrunner. Carmona’s breakout 2007 campaign saw him bounce back from a 1-10 record in 2006 to amass 19 wins and have his ERA hover near 3.00 all season (it ended up at 3.06).
Additionally, quite possibly lost in the Carmona equation was his poise when it mattered most. The 2nd-year player posted a 2.57 ERA vs. 2007 playoff teams and he rarely seemed to be flustered despite his mere 23 years.
That’s it for candidates. There just isn’t room for 19-game winners Chien-Ming Wang & John Lackey of the Yankees and Angels, respectively. No props for A’s ace Dan Haren’s 3.07 ERA for a terrible team. No love for D-Rays pitcher Scott Kazmir, whose 239 strikeouts lead the AL.
Nope, that’s it.
Except…
Possibly…
Maybe…Orioles ace Erik Bedard.
Simply stated: Erik Bedard was, according to the stats, the most effective pitcher in the American League this season. In 28 starts, Bedard pitched 182 innings or roughly 6.5 IP/start and still managed to strike out 209 batters. He limited opposition to a .212 batting average.
He posted a 2.55 ERA vs Divisional opponents (19 ER in 67 IP) vs. the vaunted lineups of New York, Boston, Toronto and even Tampa Bay. For American League pitchers with at least 80 innings pitched, Bedard had the highest strikeout per 9 inning ratio in the entire league.
With 10.93 strikeouts every 9 innings, Bedard was dominant. If not for his time on the DL, Bedard would have been able to overtake Kazmir’s strikeout lead and project his name more prominently into the Cy Young race.
Although the final Cy Young balloting might not spell a victory for the Orioles, Bedard’s name should feature prominently on the ballot—hanging chad and all.
Matt Perl is an Associate Producer/Producer with MASN. Prior to his time with MASN, Matt spent 4 years with ESPN in Bristol, CT. He is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University.
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