Through the first half of the 2009 season, the National League has witnessed an abundance of dominant pitching. Ten qualifying starting pitchers have earned run averages below three through nearly half the season. Johan Santana of the Mets got off to a brilliant start, becoming the top 2009 NL Cy Young candidate, but as the season has progressed, a cluster of great performances has turned the Cy Young race into a wide open field.

Dan Haren:

The Diamondbacks have had little to boast about in 2009, but starter Dan Haren has been a very bright spot. Haren leads the National League in ERA at a 2.25 clip while also boasting the best strikeout-to-walk ratio, punching out 7.43 batters per walk. Opponents are hitting less than .200 against Haren and they're not getting on base via free passes either - Haren has walked only 14 batters in 15 starts. His 0.81 WHIP is the lowest in the Major Leagues. Haren is the top candidate for the 2009 NL Cy Young award.

Josh Johnson:

The Florida Marlins have been struggling to get effective performances out of their starting rotation, but Josh Johnson has been the exception, pitching like a top-flight starter through 13 outings. In his league leading 111 innings, Johnson has allowed more than three runs only once, posting a 2.73 ERA. Johnson has been the best NL pitcher at limiting opponents' power, allowing a minuscule .307 slugging percentage.

Tim Lincecum:

Reigning 2008 NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is making a strong case for back-to-back wins. Lincecum has improved upon his already dominant strikeout and walk rates from a year ago, fanning 124 against 28 walks, a ratio of 4.43 in 105 innings. His 2.57 ERA is good for third in the league and his .320 opponents' slugging percentage ranks fourth. Lincecum has a great chance of repeating his Cy Young success in 2009.

Chad Billingsley:

Chad Billingsley has been one of the main reasons why the Dodgers are leading the NL West. Billingsley has been excellent at suppressing power, giving up only five home runs in 104.2 innings and allowing a sixth-best .331 slugging percentage. He is striking out nearly a batter per inning and is posting a 3.10 ERA. The only knock against Billingsley is his high walk rate; he allows four bases on balls per nine innings.

Johan Santana:

The third place finisher in the 2008 National League Cy Young race, Johan Santana, is once again among the top candidates in 2009. The Mets' ace has relinquished more than three earned runs only three times in 15 starts, pitching at least six full innings all but twice. Santana's 3.08 ERA, 100 strikeouts, and .234 opponents' average all sit among the top ten in the NL.

With so much great pitching, the 2009 NL Cy Young field is still wide open. Other pitchers who could contend for the award include Johnny Cueto of the Reds, Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros, Yovani Gallardo or the Brewers, Matt Cain of the Giants, and Jair Jurrjens of the Braves.

Learn more about this author, Art Vandelay.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about 2009 National League Cy Young award candidates?
We want to hear your view. Write now!