The Cy Young award race in the National League should be a close one, but Cubs ace Jake Arrieta is the top selection. It’s tough to see why he shouldn’t be given top pitching honors against his opponents for the award, Dodgers teammates Clayton Kershaw and Zach Greinke.
Breaking down their seasons, the Los Angeles duo pitched many of their games in a pitching friendly ballpark—Dodger Stadium. Greinke went 10-1 with a 1.46 ERA at home and 9-2 with a 1.88 ERA on the road. Kershaw was 11-3 with a 1.67 ERA at home and 5-4 with a 2.60 ERA on the road. Arrieta, who pitched half his games at Wrigley Field, posted a 9-5 record with a 1.97 ERA at home and was almost perfect on the road with a 13-1 mark to go with a 1.60 ERA.
Going by the final won-lost mark of opposing teams, Greinke made 14 of his 32 starts against clubs with winning records. Arrieta had 17 of his 33 starts against winning teams and Kershaw faced off against 18 clubs with a winning percentage above .500 in his 33 starting assignments.
The biggest fall off for Greinke is that in his 32 starts, he did not complete one game and therefore did not receive credit for a single shutout. Kershaw and Arrieta tied for the N.L. lead in complete games (4) and shutouts (3).
All three pitchers put up performances worthy of Cy Young consideration, but when their numbers are stacked up against each other, Arrieta is the clear choice to win the award.
Breaking down their seasons, the Los Angeles duo pitched many of their games in a pitching friendly ballpark—Dodger Stadium. Greinke went 10-1 with a 1.46 ERA at home and 9-2 with a 1.88 ERA on the road. Kershaw was 11-3 with a 1.67 ERA at home and 5-4 with a 2.60 ERA on the road. Arrieta, who pitched half his games at Wrigley Field, posted a 9-5 record with a 1.97 ERA at home and was almost perfect on the road with a 13-1 mark to go with a 1.60 ERA.
Going by the final won-lost mark of opposing teams, Greinke made 14 of his 32 starts against clubs with winning records. Arrieta had 17 of his 33 starts against winning teams and Kershaw faced off against 18 clubs with a winning percentage above .500 in his 33 starting assignments.
The biggest fall off for Greinke is that in his 32 starts, he did not complete one game and therefore did not receive credit for a single shutout. Kershaw and Arrieta tied for the N.L. lead in complete games (4) and shutouts (3).
All three pitchers put up performances worthy of Cy Young consideration, but when their numbers are stacked up against each other, Arrieta is the clear choice to win the award.
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