.jpg)
1 hour ago
2
The National League has established itself as the bigger and better conference in Major League Baseball this season. It is not even close.
When looking at the standings, the MVP vote, and the Cy Young vote, it is going to be a close-knit race all the way around in the NL. Especially with that race for the best pitcher, as it is a really good field of guys vying for the honor.
Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com proves the point that this nomination list is loaded with big names.
It is not impossible for a relief pitcher to win the Cy Young, as it has happened nine times in MLB history. The last being Eric Gagne in 2003 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. For the San Diego Padres, Mark Davis won the award as a reliever in 1989.
That could happen again this season, with the miraculous run by Padres' closer, Mason Miller. He has a legitimate chance to overthrow Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani and Philadelphia Phillies rising star Cristopher Sánchez.
Miller is a perfect 16 for 16 in save opportunities, yet has a record of 1-1 on the season. In 23.2 innings of work, he has sat down 47 batters and has only allowed two earned runs. His ERA of 0.76 is mind-boggling to say the least.
Of course, it would be a tough gauntlet to overcome, as the aforementioned Ohtani is likely going to sweep the awards at the end of this season. He could be the World Series MVP, MVP, and Cy Young Award winner, and that is not blasphemy.
But Miller's impact in changing the culture in San Diego and pushing this team to be a top contender in the National League should not go unnoticed. Gagne's streak of 23-seasons as the last reliever to win the greatest award that a pitcher can get may continue, but Miller is making the case that it should not belong to him.
English (US)