Gregor: Is Sox ace Sale going to get enough support for Cy Young?
As a BWAA member, I get a different award vote every season.
This year, it's American League Cy Young, which is always a tough category. This time around is no different.
At the break, Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale looked like a lock to win his first Cy Young after going 14-3 with a 3.38 ERA. Sale deserved to start the All-Star Game for the AL, and he did.
In the second half, Sale has seemingly padded his Cy Young resume. In 10 starts, he's posted a 2.47 ERA and struck out 82 in 76⅔ innings.
On Sunday, Sale became the Sox's first pitcher to go 8 innings or more in 5 straight starts since Alex Fernandez in 1996. The 27-year-old lefty also became the first pitcher in White Sox history with 200 or more strikeouts in four straight seasons.
Sale is a very deserving candidate, but other Cy Young voters have to overlook a stat he's had no control over - wins and losses.
During his impressive surge of 8 or more innings in 5 starts in a row, the Sox's offense has scored just 5 total runs for Sale. Since the break, his record is 1-5.
"We've got to do better for Sale," leadoff hitter Adam Eaton said.
The White Sox can try to give Sale some run support Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, when he takes the mound against the Royals.
With four - possibly three - starts left in the season, Sale is a strong Cy Young candidate, even if he's pitching for a losing team. Not surprisingly, Sale didn't have much to say about a potential individual honor.
"I let all that stuff work itself out," he said. "I go up there and I pitch for this team, and I pitch for my teammates and the fans and myself. Anything other than that, I don't worry about it."
Sale looks a lot like the same premier starting pitcher this season, but he's actually much different.
Since his first start of the season, Sale has pulled out of the fast lane and shown he doesn't have to strike out every hitter.
Pitching to contact has allowed Sale to go deeper into games, and it's also allowed him to stay much stronger in the second half this season.
"When I get two strikes on somebody I feel like, 'Hey, it's time to put him away,'" Sale said. "But you can't strike a guy out on the first or second pitch, so be a little smarter with those. Try not to throw as many waste pitches, especially when things start happening. I start getting a little upset, I try to slow it down a little bit and not get into bad habits like I used to."
Sale was fourth in Cy Young voting last season, third in 2014, fifth in 2013 and sixth in '12.
Is this the year he finally breaks through as the AL's best pitcher?
"You start looking at his numbers, I know I wish with the wins and losses, there would be more wins," manager Robin Ventura said. "But as far as his numbers go, they stack up there with anybody. If the wins were higher, I think he would have an easier shot at it."
AL Cy Young contenders
Chris Sale (15-8, 3.03 ERA) is definitely worthy of consideration as the American League's best pitcher. White Sox beat writer Scot Gregor examines some other top candidates:
Corey Kluber, Indians
He's been the top starter on the AL's top pitching staff. Kluber, who ranks third in the league in wins (16) and ERA (3.05), won the Cy Young in 2014.
Rick Porcello, Red Sox
He's was the first major-league starter to reach 20 wins this season, and his ERA is an impressive 3.12. On the flip side, Porcello leads baseball in run support average at 6.73 per start.
Zach Britton, Orioles
Heading into Thursday's play, the left-handed closer was 43-for-43 in save opportunities with a 0.61 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. Britton has been spectacular, but Oakland's Dennis Eckersley was the last AL closer to win the Cy Young, in 1992.
J.A. Happ, Blue Jays
The Northwestern product is on his third tour of duty with Toronto and he's put it all together this season with an 18-4 record and 3.33 ERA.
Jose Quintana, WHITE SOX
His run support average (3.72) is among the lowest in the majors. In other words, what else is new for the hard-luck Quintana, who is tied for third in the AL with a 3.05 ERA.