In his favor, Dice-K is among the league leaders in ERA, wins, and winning percentage. But in my book these positives don’t outweigh the numerous negatives enough to put him in the Cy Young discussion.

His lack of innings isn’t just due to injury — he’s only pitched into the seventh 6 times. Those walks you mention drive up his pitch count, forcing him to leave games earlier. He averages under six innings per start (5.79). The walks also leave Dice-K with a mediocre WHIP of 1.34. In fact, his walks aren’t just bad, they’re horrid — he’s NEXT TO LAST in walks issued, with one fewer than Cabrera (who has needed five more starts and 42 more innings to achieve his total). Wins or not, and a solid ERA or not, those are numbers that tell me he’s not a legitimate candidate for a Cy Young. I’d argue that he’s not even #1 on his team — Lester has been a better pitcher this year.

Cliff Lee is an easy choice at this point, leading the league in wins (despite playing for a losing club) and ERA, and third in WHIP. He also is in the top 10 in innings pitched (he’s pitched exactly 40 innings more than Dice-K, and done so in only two more starts (7.03 IP/start)).

And if he should falter, at the moment I’d pick Halladay despite his nine losses (which are mostly due to his lousy run support). He has 1 less win than Dice-K, but he’s #1 in innings pitched, #2 in the league in WHIP, and #3 in ERA (right ahead of Dice-K) and Ks.

I’d pick Saunders third.

to have a guy win the Cy Young who didn’t get enough votes to even be named to his league’s all-star roster.

I like the guy but he’s not as good as his record and people know this. One thing often overlooked: he’s had tremendous offensive support this year or he wouldn’t be 14-2. Let’s hope he keeps winning, regardless.

Here’s an interesting stat: the last 12 times Dice-K has loaded the bases, he’s gotten out of it with no runs – incredible (but stressful on everyone!!!!!)

When you walk more than five batters per nine innings pitched, average fewer than six innings pitched per start, only have a low ERA thanks to an abnormally low BABIP, had a stint on the DL, and have been your team’s third best pitcher at best, you’re not Cy Young material. Especially when Lee has a better record for a worse team, a better ERA even with a normal BABIP, fewer walks, fewer BB/IP, more IP, nearly the same K/IP, and have been healthy all year. Even the BWAA can’t mess up that comparison.

Where they could mess up is in giving heavy consideration to K-Rod. He’s going to finish high in the voting because he’s going to end up with 60+ saves, but that just means his team plays a lot of close games. The fact of the matter is that a league average closer could get 55-60 saves for the Orange County Angels this year.

Dice-k is struggling to be eligible in the top ERA list, (needs IP equal to team games played), i just dont see him winning a cy unless lee, duscheser(sp) and halliday ALL bomb, and dice-k dominates.