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by Digger

NL pitchers have been putting on quite a display in '08. Official voters will have plenty to contemplate when filling out ballots at seasons end. Arizona's Brandon Webb appeared as odds on favorite for most of the year. Recent trade deadline deals, emergence of young pitchers, and a wide open September pennant race will all factor into who walks away with NL Cy Young hardware.

The field:
Brandon Webb (Arizona, 19-6, 3.19). Webb has dominated NL West opponents winning 9 of 11 decisions. He's the main reason Arizona has held onto first place this year. The only radar screen blip has been back to back defeats while trying for his first ever 20 win season. It is the pressure of 20? Or, is his arm tiring? I'm sure Diamondback coaches will be keeping a careful eye after pitching 7 or more innings in 6 of his last 7 starts before suffering two straight blowout losses. Otherwise, this has been a solid Cy Young campaign. Webb began the year on fire winning nine straight. He's been the model of efficiency and consistency evidenced by season high single game pitch total of 113 (shutout). Throwing strikes and making hitters miss is what it's all about. He's only pitched less than 6 innings in 5 of 29 starts while earning decisions in 25. How he performs in the pennant race will decide his fate.

CC Sabathia (9-0, 1.43). Milwaukee went out and made headlines with a trading deadline deal acquiring 2007 AL Cy Young winner CC. He struggled early on in Cleveland but has been baseball's best since becoming a Brewer. He's owned NL hitters striking out 85 in 88 innings, 6 of 9 complete games highlighted by 3 shutouts. His presence makes Milwaukee a World Series contender while his performances have been of MVP calibur. Do these stellar starts garner recognition by sportswriters for Cy Young when considering his abbreviated NL status? If he wins out the rest of the way... or wins all but one decision then I think he'll be more than deserving. This is reminiscent of 1984 when Rick Sutcliffe went 16-1 (unanimous NL Cy Young winner) leading the Cubs into post season play. Sabathia is in the zone.

Edinson Volquez (Cincinnati, 16-5, 3.04). Cincy's young star completely baffled NL hitters in April (4-0, 1.23) and May (3-1, 1.63). Hitters couldn't figure him out (88 K's in 68 April/May innings). Has yet to have a losing month while pitching for a subpar team. He's faces a tough list of nominee's. It'll be hard to over look his season if he surpasses 20 wins. Competitive field will have many receiving first place votes.

Todd Lincecum (15-3, 2.43). I remember laughing early on after learning of a manager in one of my fantasy leagues trading Soriano for Lincecum. Well, Soriano got hurt and 2nd year newcomer Lincecum has been nothing less than sensational on the mound for floundering San Francisco. He's wiffed 210 in 185 frames. This kid has surpassed the hype attributed to his quick rise to stardom. San Fran's future is bright anchored by Lincecum's arm. He'll get plenty of votes in this years wide open arms race. Will pitching for a losing team hurt his chances?

Ryan Dempster (15-5, 2.95) has been Chicago's unsung hero on a team full of stars. Media spotlights always shine on the likes of Zambrano, Soto, Soriano, Wood, Lee and Marmol. Dempster has done his part with 15 victories and holding NLers to a paultry .218 average. He's won 7 of 8 decisions vs playoff contenders (3-0 vs rival Milwaukee). 20 wins is not out of reach. I think he's the longshot who probably won't get many, if any, first place votes.

This grouping is so close votes probably won't be finalized until after game 162. If Sabathia wins out then he'd get my vote with no questions asked especially if Milwaukee beat out Chicago for the division crown and home field advantage. Should CC prove he's only human down the stretch and Webb bounces back to form, then he's next in line. It's going to be another wild September in all three NL divisions.