Sports Illustrated writer Tom Verducci released his mid-season awards Tuesday morning, giving Justin Verlander the AL Cy Young Award.
From the post:
1. Justin Verlander, Tigers
2. Jake Peavy, White Sox
3. David Price, Rays
4. Chris Sale, White Sox
5. Jered Weaver, AngelsThe reason: Verlander leads the league in innings, strikeouts and complete game, is third in WHIP and fourth in ERA. He is the definition of an ace. In the mold of Nolan Ryan, Verlander is a workhorse at an elite level.
The snubs: Felix Hernandez of Seattle, Matt Harrison of Texas and C.J. Wilson of Los Angeles belong in the discussion.
It's hard to argue with Verlander here. Fresh off a complete-game win -- seven strikeouts with one earned run -- Verlander is 9-5 with a 2.58 ERA. Plus, as Verducci points out later on, Verlander has pitched at least six innings in 59 consecutive starts, the longest such streak since Steve Carlton's 69-game stretch 30 years ago.
Miguel Cabrera got a small shout-out from Verducci as well, coming No. 8 in the AL MVP award. Robinson Cano and Josh Hamilton were Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.
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