MLB Cy Young Watch: C.C. Sabathia is Large, and Barely in Charge

We here at the MLB FanHouse will be musing twice a month until the end of the season on who we think leads the AL and NL Cy Young award races.

American League: C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland Indians

Last time if you remember, the A.L. Cy race was too close to call. This time ... well, it still is. But I can't cop out twice in a row. Since our last Cy snapshot, C.C. Sabathia (17-7, has thrown 17 innings in two starts and has only given up one run, helping the Tribe to a healthy lead in the A.L. Central. Josh Beckett is right there too, having won his last two starts as well. But after Sabathia has passed Beckett in ERA, a category he had been lagging behind by a big margin all season, I have to give the edge to Sabathia this week. With John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Fausto Carmona also lurking, it's going to be a very tight race down the stretch.

Also in the mix:
Josh Beckett (18-6, 3.27 ERA)
John Lackey (16-8, 3.18 ERA)
Kelvim Escobar (16-7, 3.04 ERA)
Fausto Carmona (16-8, 3.20 ERA)
J.J. Putz (1.43 ERA, 37 saves)
Chien-Ming Wang (18-6, 3.69 ERA)

National League: Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres

Ho-hum, Jake Peavy is in the lead for the N.L. Cy Young ... la de da. Is there really any reason to even discuss this? Sure, Brandon Webb made a valiant charge with his scoreless streak, but Peavy is the class of the senior circuit. He moved his record to 17-6 on Tuesday against the Dodgers with a seven inning, two run, five strikeout performance in a game with multiple playoff implications. And don't think that Peavy's season has been enhanced by pitching in spacious Petco Park ... he's 9-1 on the road after Tuesday's win against the Dodgers (who by the way he hasn't lost to in about four years. Ask them if Peavy doesn't deserve to be the Cy Young winner.

Also in the mix:
Brandon Webb (15-10, 2.91 ERA)
Brad Penny (15-4, 2.81 ERA)
Aaron Harang (14-4, 187 K's)
Takashi Saito (37 saves, 1.26 ERA)