AtWork

With nearly 2/3rds of the season done, it's probably fair to start speculating on who might win the AL Cy Young. Here's how I would break down the race as it stands today. 1. Justin Verlander - Leads the AL in IP (165), strikeouts (162) and WHIP (0.88). He also ranks 3rd in ERA (2.62) and 2nd in wins (13). I doubt the voters will take this much into account, but Verlander also leads AL pitchers in WAR according to Baseball-Reference. 2. Jared Weaver - Leads the AL in ERA (1.81) and is second in WHIP (0.90) and wins (13). 3. Josh Beckett - Is second in the AL in ERA (2.07) and WHIP (0.90) but his win total and strikeout rate will probably prevent him from winning the award. Honorable Mention James Shields - Is 4th in the AL in IP, 2nd in strikeouts and 5th in ERA and WHIP placing him inside the top 5 in every major statistical category with the exception of wins. CC Sabathia - Leads the AL in wins but is is 6th in ERA and 12th in WHIP. Is second in the AL in IP and strikeouts and according to fangraphs he leads the AL in WAR. f*** the NL.

I'd be happy with a 5 game lead by late August when A-Rod returns. We're on pace to win over 100 games, it's not like they're going to get a whole lot of chances to get back in the race.

CONGRATS TITO! 3 games up in the division now with A-Rod likely to be out another month. Let's make it 6 by the time he returns.

Ryan's on Papelbon's fastball like glue. Time to execute Mr. Splittie.

Blown call by the ump. Still, Bard should have taken the easy out.

Timmons sucks. He's been giving Seattle pitchers strikes high and 6 inches off the plate as well as low and 6 inches off the plate all night. When Red Sox pitchers have hit the same locations, they've been balls.

This game became fun in a hurry.

f*** yes! Not even a douche of a fan can stop us!

Is security letting him finish his beer? f*** that, smash his cup on the ground.

Looks just like him.

What an *******! Varitek scores if that fan didn't reach over.

David Pauley!

Yes. I wonder if Salty will bat now that Beckett's out.

Wish they didn't cut to commercial so fast. :ortiz: Just pretend that's Beckett walking off the mound.

Great f***ing play! Varitek probably saved a run as well catching that ball behind the head of the batter and then blocking a ball in the dirt with the runner on third.

Or the Marlins.

What a tease.

Sweet, they pulled a Red Sox!

It's all fun and games until the kids swears.

Reddick was robbed. Smoak's been pretty impressive.

Duh, I'd imagine it's probably him because I'm pretty sure it's not Derek Lowe.

If Beckett goes another 3.1 innings without allowing a run, his ERA will get below 2.

Look at how hard he ran out that ground ball! Truly amazing!

I can't think of any current former Mariners, Varitek never got into the majors with them. Beltre maybe?