Washington Nationals’ Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer named finalists for 2017 NL Cy Young Award

Washington Nationals’ pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer join Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitcher Clayton Kershaw as the three finalists for the 2017 National League CY Young Award.

Strasburg is coming off a career year in which he finished 15-4 with a 2.52 ERA, which was ranked third in the National League, and 204 strikeouts in 28 games.

Strasburg averaged 10.47 strikeouts per nine innings and set a career high for most strikeouts in a single game against the San Diego Padres on May 15 when he tallied 15 in seven innings of work.

Strasburg, who put up a 3.43 ERA and .219/.282/.363 line against in 112 ²⁄₃ IP in the first half of the season, made a strong case for the Cy Young Award in the second half of the 2017 campaign, when he put up a 0.86 ERA and a .171/.231/.226 line against in 62 ²⁄₃ IP after the All-Star Break.

Scherzer, who is looking to win his second straight NL Cy Young Award, finished 16-6 in 31 games and was second in the National League with a career-best 2.51 ERA and 268 strikeouts, a total that was good for second in all of baseball. Scherzer registered 10 or more strikeouts in 15 games.

This is the third straight season Scherzer was a finalist for the Cy Young Award. Last winter he became just the sixth major league starter to win the Cy Young in both the American and National League.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ starter Clayton Kershaw is the third finalist after going (18-4) in 27 starts with a 2.31 ERA, 30 walks and 202 Ks in 175 IP.

The 2017 Cy Young award winners will be announced on November 15th.