As the MLB season is just a few days away its time to take a look at the contenders for the National League Cy Young Award. Today, we look at San Fransisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum.
Why not go with the guy who won the award last season?
Lincecum was an absolute beast last season, going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA and 265 strikeouts. Coming into this season at 24 years of age, Lincecum still has a couple of years until he hits his athletic prime. His walk numbers were his biggest drawback last season, surrendering 84 of them. If he can bring that number down to the low 70s, he is a virtual lock for a repeat.
The only problem for Tim is how he is going to get his wins. Pitching for a team that can be shut out on any given night, if Lincecum gives up one run in seven innings, he may be saddled with a loss. If Pablo Sandoval can emerge as a stud midway through the season, then this problem may be terminated. But that is a big if.
A record of 13-7 doesn’t seem like Cy Young material, but it is very possible for Tim this season. Of course the record alone is not what determines who gets the award. If Lincecum can add a 2.70 ERA and 260 strikeouts, then his case is a lot stronger. If he puts up those numbers, the voters will not be fooled by his mediocre record. In 1981, Fernando Valenzuela won the Cy Young award with a 13-7 record, 180 strikeouts and a 2.48 ERA.
Projections: 15-6/2.56/261/223 IP
