Lester’s Case for the Cy Young

The Cy Young Award campaigns are getting real heated this time of year. The baseball media has zeroed in on four prime candidates: Zack Greinke, C.C. Sabathia, Justin Verlander, and Felix Hernadez.

Each of these pitchers has a great resume, but Jon Lester has had quite the season. Where does he stack up against the competition?

ERA

1) Zack Greinke - 2.14 - 1st in AL
2) Felix Hernandez - 2.45 - 2nd in AL
3) C.C. Sabathia - 3.31 - 6th in AL
4) Jon Lester - 3.33 - 7th in AL
5) Justin Verlander - 3.44 - 9th in AL

7/3: Wake’s All-Star Statement Game

Tim Wakefield has never been to an All-Game and this year may be his best and last chance. With a 10-3 record, the few blips that bounced his ERA above 4.00 can be ignored along the way, especially with a win in a head to head duel with 8-3 Felix Hernandez (2.54 ERA) tonight.

American League West Preview…And the rest of the remaining divisions too.

The Angels do not get on base much, and they haven't hit for all that much power of late. I am a stat-guy. So I believe that an offense needs to do these things to score enough runs. There is only so much that can happen as a result of "hit and runs" and taking the extra base. Now, taking the extra base is great, and often overlooked--as is baserunning in general. But a team must get on base enough, in order to score enough.

The Abreu acquisition was great. For that amount of money, the team put aside their philosophy of having only players who can play defense, and sacrificed "it" for a little offense. There is no risk in signing Abreu, and he should still hit for average, get on base, and flash enough power to make him a quality all-around player.

7/23: Road Sweep?

Prev. Gm: Boston Red Sox (59-43) @ Seattle Mariners (38-62) Clay Buchholz (2-5, 5.67) @ Felix Hernandez (7-6, 2.95) 4:35…

BOS 4, SEA 2: Dice-K paces Sox

Daisuke Matsuzaka went 7 1/3 innings striking out six in the process leading the Boston Red Sox past the Seattle…

Fielding mistakes cost broken down Red Sox lineup

Bartolo Colon made two errors, six runs (three earned) scored off of him and the Boston Red Sox fell to…

6/6: 4 and 0 Bartolo?

Prev. Gm: Seattle Mariners (21-39) @ Boston Red Sox (38-25) Felix Hernandez (3-5, 3.29) @ Bartolo Colon (3-0, 3.50) 7:05…

Ramirez powers Sox past Rays and drama

After the dust settled and Coco Crisp avoided a James Shield haymaker and took a licking from Jonny Gomes and…

Colon is quietly making a statement

Through seven innings Felix Hernandez had been dominant, the eighth inning was so much different. Dustin Pedroia hit a ground…

Lester so-so after no-no

After coming off a no-hitter in his last start Jon Lester was mediocre in his efforts against the Oakland Athletics…