Next up was American League Cy Young. This one wasn't even close as Boston's Derek Lowe blew away the competition with his surprising success in the first half of the season.
Check out the candidates below, what we had to say about each player and the ESPN.com poll results.
ESPN.com POLL | |
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Derek Lowe, Red Sox
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
W/L |
ERA |
111.1 |
74 |
27 |
27 |
11-4 |
2.81 |
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Probably the biggest surprise in the first half of the season as this closer has turned into a legitimate No. 1 starter. |
Freddy Garcia, Mariners
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
W/L |
ERA |
121.1 |
104 |
49 |
48 |
11-5 |
3.56 |
|
Working hard to justify being the M's No. 1 starter and doing a pretty good job. |
Barry Zito, A's
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
W/L |
ERA |
105.2 |
91 |
43 |
42 |
10-3 |
3.58 |
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Has been steady as the A's stumbled out of the blocks but are now back in the race. |
Pedro Martinez, Red Sox
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
W/L |
ERA |
110.2 |
87 |
42 |
35 |
10-2 |
2.85 |
|
Still battling arm troubles, but still one of the best in baseball. |
Eddie Guardado, Twins
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
SVS |
ERA |
39.2 |
28 |
11 |
11 |
25 |
2.50 |
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Twins are leading the division and Guardado is one of the big reasons. |
Mark Buehrle, White Sox
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
W/L |
ERA |
121.2 |
113 |
56 |
49 |
11-6 |
3.62 |
| Has kept the White Sox in the race as they chase the Twins. |
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