No No No No No!... And Early Cy Young Picks

Last nights no-hitter by Matt Garza added to what is being called “The Year of the Pitcher” in the Major Leagues. Fans have been lucky enough to witness five no-hitters this season, including two perfect games – and it’s only a month after the All-Star Game, the halfway point of the season.

It all started early on in April when the Colorado Rockies were given their first no-hitter by way of 26-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez. The Dominican Republic native’s line on the night wasn’t overly impressive with 6 walks, but his 7 strikeouts helped him on his way to history. To add to the accomplishment, he also had a RBI and scored a run in the game. Jimenez has only continued to cruise since his no-no. He was rightfully named the NL All-Star Game starter and now holds the most wins in the Majors with a 15-2 record and 2.75 ERA.

A few weeks later, it was a 26-year-old AL pitcher’s turn. Oakland’s Dallas Braden achieved perfection against the Rays with 109 pitches, including six strikeouts, in the 19th perfect game in MLB history. Out of the five so far this season, Braden’s perhaps was the most emotional and inspiring. Braden grew up an hour away from Oakland and had a rough childhood being the son of a single mom. When he was a senior in high school his mother passed away from cancer. His grandmother was there to watch Braden’s every perfect pitch and was the first to give him a congratulatory hug. The biggest significance of the day? It was on Mother’s Day.

Twenty days later, Phillies’ veteran Roy Halladay obtained a perfect game of his own in a 1-0 win against the Marlins. The 159-84 career ace needed 115 pitches to complete the feat, which included a personal and Phillies season high 11 strikeouts. Halladay’s numbers have continued to impress this season as he is tied for 3rd in the NL with 11 wins, is 4th in the Majors with a 2.28 ERA and is tied for a 4th in the NL with 140 Ks.

Diamondbacks starter Edwin Jackson was probably the most improbable to get a no-no this season. On June 26, his pitch count topped 60 pitches by the 3rd inning, but he told his manager, “I’m not coming out until I give up a homerun or a hit.” Good thing his manager listened. In the end, Jackson finished with 149 pitches and 8 walks in the game, but the zero in the second column on the scoreboard was all that mattered as he led the Dbacks in the 1-0 win against the Rays.

After being no-hit twice already this season, Tampa Bay got redemption of its own through Matt Garza’s gem last night. His no-hitter was the first in the young franchise’s history. He gave up just one walk in the 7th inning, but still managed to face the minimum as his walk was followed by an inning-ending double play. It took him 120 pitches to get his 27 outs.

With all the great pitching performances this season, even beyond the five no-hitters, it’s hard not to start thinking about who will get the Cy Young this season. If the season continues on the way it has thus far, I think it is pretty clear that the NL will award it to Jimenez. With his no-hitter, All-Star start, MLB-leading 15 wins and miniscule 2.75 ERA, there are very few others that can compete.

The AL, however leaves a lot more options. Ironically, at this point I have to go with the other All-Star starter, David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. The top pick from 2007 leads the AL with 13 wins and is 5th with a 2.90 ERA. Another possibility in the Cy Young race who has been doing things more quietly is veteran ace Andy Pettitte. He holds a 11-2 record with a 2.88 ERA for the AL East-leading Yankees.

But, as everyone knows, with 60-some games left in the regular season, anything is bound to happen. Let’s hope it continues to be as exciting as it’s been thus far.