As the MLB season quickly comes to an end, it should be noted that this has been the season of great pitching. Only 6 players have hit 30+ homeruns and only 3 players have 100+ RBI's, proving that pitching has been the storyline of the year. There should be no question that Tim Lincecum, 13-3 2.60 ERA 192 K 169.2 IP, should be the N.L Cy Young award winner, with Brandon Webb, 19-4 2.74 ERA 153 K 184 IP, a close runner-up.

    The more interesting race, however, is the A.L Cy Young. Like the N.L, the A.L race figures to be between only between a handful of pitchers. The two main contenders are Roy Halladay, 15-9 2.68 ERA 168 K 198 IP, of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the front-runner, Cleveland Indians lefty, Cliff Lee, 18-2 2.43 ERA 141 K 177.2 IP. While most people look at Lee's record and ERA and say he should win the Cy Young award, there are other numbers you should take a look at.

    Lee, in 25 games, has an average run support of 4.9 runs a game, Halladay receives 4.3 runs a game. Sixteen of Halladay's 26 starts have been against teams with a record above .500, while only 10 of Lee's 25 starts have been against teams above .500. And while Halladay has had the tougher schedule, he also pitches in arguably the toughest division, the A.L east, pitching a combined 11 games against the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays. Lee pitches in the much weaker A.L central where he has only pitched four times against the White Sox and Twins, the only two teams above .500 in the A.L central.

    Halladay has also pitched against the A.L and N.L's best teams, the Angel and Cubs. While Lee has also made a start against the Angels, Halladay also has a start against the A.L Central leading White Sox. Another thing to note is that Halladay is a workhorse. He has spread out 167 hits while pitching 198 IP and 8 complete games(two shutouts), which is a M.L best. Lee has only gave up 7 less hits than Halladay despite pitching 20 less innings.

    The last thing to look at is how well their teams fare when their aces take the mound. The Indians are 18-6 when Lee pitches, while the Blue Jays are 15-9, Halladay taking a decision in every game he has had pitched. Although the Indians do fare better when Lee pitches, it should be noted that the Indians are 59-67 while the Blue Jays are 66-61 and have an outside chance of winning the Wild Card, while the Indians have been looking at rebuilding for next season for awhile now.

    While Lee is an excellent pitcher with the lowest ERA in the league, most people don't look deep enough when deciding who should be declared the best pitcher in baseball. One thing stats don't show is pride and intensity. Halladay is the most focused pitcher in the game, coming to the ballpark on the day he pitches, teammates can only admire his focus and praise his work ethics. Although the Cy Young award will go to Cliff Lee, a very deserving pitcher, it should ultimately go to Roy Halladay, the best pitcher in the game.