In line for a Cy

Last night, I got into a little debate with a true friend about who’s going to win the Cy Young awards in the American League and National League. My choices, which I felt were pretty obvious, were Royals right-hander Zack Greinke in the AL and Giants ace Tim Lincecum in the NL. Both are up-and-coming stars who are really fun to watch (although they play for less than dominant teams).
His choices were Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera — he’s a Yankees fan — in the AL and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals in the NL.

Here’s the breakdown.
Greinke: 13 wins, 8 losses; 2.19 earned run average (ranks No. 1 in AL); 216 strikeouts; 6 complete games with 3 shutouts; 1.067 WHIP (ranks No. 1 in AL). And keep in mind that he plays for the Royals.

Lincecum: 14 wins, 5 losses; 2.30 ERA (ranks No. 2 in the NL); 244 strikeouts (ranks No. 1 in NL); 4 complete games with 2 shutouts; 1.037 WHIP. Yes, he pitches in the inferior NL, but he’d be just as good anywhere.

Rivera: 3 wins, 2 losses; 40 saves in 41 chances; 1.66 earned run average; 64 strikeouts/11 walks; .888 WHIP. Statistically, he was better last year, when he finished fifth in the Cy Young voting.

Wainwright: 18 wins, 8 losses; leads NL with 31 games started and 212 innings pitched; 2.59 ERA; 183 strikeouts; 1 complete game, 0 shutouts; 1.212 WHIP. Has perhaps the league’s best offense behind him.

I’ll be honest, Wainwright’s numbers are better than I thought, and the Cardinals are a lock for the playoffs. But I’ll still give the nod to Lincecum, even though the Giants may not make the playoffs at this point.

In the AL, I hope voters give Greinke the benefit of the doubt. All season long he’s been outstanding despite the fact that his team has continually failed him. In 29 starts, he’s surrendered more than three runs just three times. He’s lasted at least seven innings 19 times, including his last seven starts.