Dodgers Cy Young Candidates

Sep 1, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starter Zack Greinke (21) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Case for Zack Greinke

15-3, 1.59 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 235 ERA+, .846 WHIP, 6.1 H/9, .5 HR/9, 1.5 BB/9, 8.1 SO/9

Besides being the most wonderful human on earth with 80+ grade hair, Greinke has had a season arguably as impressive as Kershaw’s MVP season last year. Greinke isn’t a huge strikeout guy, but his numbers still pop off the page. If I saw a pitcher post a 1.59 ERA on MLB: The Show, I’d probably curse and return that stupid defective game.

The deeper you dig into Greinke’s numbers, the stronger his case becomes. After giving up two runs in eight innings on June 13, Greinke had a 1.95 ERA. That is the highest ERA Greinke has had following any start this season. He’s thrown at least six innings in each of his 27 starts this season. He’s given up five runs in a game twice (in Colorado and Philly) and has given up three runs in a game three times this season. He’s given up two runs in a game three times. In every other start, he’s given up one or zero runs (one run eight times, zero runs 11 times).

The Cy Young is obviously an award for pitching, but in a weird way I think his bat makes his pitching numbers pop more. Opposing batters are slashing .189/.231/.270 against Greinke this year. Greinke himself has a .207/.217/.328 slashline. He’s literally a better hitter than hitters that face him.

Next: Is Greinke Due For Regression? No, but..