Oakland Athletics Award Watch: Four Threats to Sonny Gray In Cy Young Race
Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) of the Houston Astros throws against the National League during the first inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Newcomer: Dallas Keuchel
Dallas Keuchel is the biggest threat to Gray, by any measurement. His 2.40 ERA is slightly higher, but he’s still ranked fourth among American League starters. The Astros’ ace also has 13 wins, 143 strikeouts, and the third-best WHIP in the league, at 1.01. Keuchel trails only Kluber in innings pitched, with 164.2, and he also has three complete games.
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Unlike the other three candidates, Keuchel is the only pitcher on Gray’s level who does not already have a Cy Young Award in his possession. The 27-year-old has a trajectory similar to that of Kluber, in that his first two seasons were treacherous: 3-8 with a 5.27 ERA, and 6-10 with a 5.15 ERA, respectively. However, last year he made strong advances in every category and turned into a very formidable opponent.
In 2014, Keuchel finished 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA and 146 strikeouts in exactly 200 innings. He had also thrown a league-leading five complete games. While he wasn’t exactly Cy Young material last season, he was very close, and he’s continued to improve in 2015.
Keuchel’s accomplishments last season were done on a bad Astros club, in a situation very similar to the one Gray finds himself in this year. Poor defense and a lack of a potent lineup may hurt Gray in the same manner that it hurt Keuchel. The Oakland Athletics’ bullpen’s inability to hold leads could also force Gray to miss out in the win column, which has the potential to give the edge to Keuchel and bringSonny Gray’s Cy Young candidacy to an abrupt end.