Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander On Wednesday, he was named American League Cy Young Award Winner. This caps a remarkable bounce-back season in which he reached unprecedented heights.
Verlander beat out Dylan Cease The Chicago White Sox Alek Manoah The Toronto Blue Jays.
After spending the majority of the last two years recuperating from Tommy John surgery, Verlander won his third Cy Young award. Verlander led the AL with 18 wins and was also the leader of the majors in ERA (1.75) as well as WHIP (0.83). This led to a strong Astros pitching team that helped secure a championship.
Since 1913, earned runs were officially recognized in both leagues. Verlander’s ERA was the highest by a pitcher who had at least 25 starts in an age-39 or older season. Verlander was the second-oldest pitcher in the majors to be ranked in ERA. He was followed by Roger Clemens (43 years old) in 2005. His 1.75 ERA was his lowest AL pitcher ERA in a full season, since Pedro Martinez’s 1.74 ERA in 2000.
Verlander, now a non-tendered player, threw at least six innings in 22 out of 28 starts. He also accumulated 175 innings over the regular season. Verlander struck out 185 batters while walking 29. Following a mixed performance, Verlander pitched five innings of one run ball against the Phillies. Philadelphia Phillies He won his second title in Game 5 in the World Series.
Verlander is the 11th player to have won the Cy Young Award three times or more. The only one among them who is not in the Hall of Fame despite being eligible is Clemens, notoriously tied to performance-enhancing drugs.
Verlander’s third appearance came in the most unexpected of places — close to the end his career, just after major elbow surgery. He became the second non-rookie ever to make a minimum of 15 starts and post a sub-2.00 ERA despite not pitching in the majors the previous season, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information. Fred Toney had a 1.58 ERA in 1915. Cincinnati Reds After pitching in the minor leagues for the previous year.
Cease was 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA (and 227 strikeouts). Manoah was 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA. This is the second-lowest score in Blue Jays history.
Verlander was once more at the top.