Week 1 Roundup

With the first week of the major league season in the record books, we can now take a look back at how our Cy Young hopefuls have fared in the first few starts.

Roy Halladay - In his first 16 innings pitched in the NL, Halladay has an ungodly .56 ERA and has struck out 17 batters. Even more impressive, in only his 2nd start of the season he had a complete game effort against the Astros, giving up only 1 run. If his first two starts of the season are any indication of what is to come for the rest of 2010m, then Phillies fans are in for a real treat!

Tim Lincecum - The two time defending NL Cy Young winner has started 2010 off the way he finished 2009. In his first start of the season Lincecum allowed 0 runs over 7 innings of work, while striking out 7. At only 25 years old, Lincecum is well on his way to become one of the most dominant pitchers of our time.

Johan Santana - The start to 2010 has been up and down for the Mets ace. His first start was solid, going 6 innings and only allowing 1 run while picking up the victory. In his second start against the Nationals, Santana surrendered 5 runs over 5 innings of work. The Mets have found themselves at 2-4 to start the season, if things continue this way then we may not be hearing much from Santana this season.

Josh Beckett - In his first 2 appearances of the season Beckett has not pitched like the ace of the Red Sox. Over 11 2/3 innings of work he has allowed 8 earned runs, while only striking out 5. If the Red Sox want to make any type of run at the AL East crown they are going to need Beckett to return to form for sure.

CC Sabathia - Opening night, Sabathia struggled with his command against the Red Sox. In his 2nd start against the Rays, he was spectacular taking a no-hitting in the 8th inning. While he will be getting plenty of offensive support this season, it was a nice sign for the Yankees to see that CC was able to return to form.

Mark Buehrle - While we do not see Buehrle as a Cy Young candidate in 2010, he may have made the best play of the season! Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX5xAUxnoPo

If the first week of the 2010 is any indication of what is to come, then we should be in for a great year!

Opening Night

Finally! Opening Night, and what a match up in the first game of the season. Beckett will be going for the Sox, looking to rebound after a injury plagued season last year. Sabathia will make the start for the defending World Champion Yankees, looking to continue his dominance over the AL East.

Increasing the story line is the looming contract negotiations between Beckett and the Red Sox. The last reported updated has the two sides close to a four year extension for close to $70 million. While some sources are already reporting the extension as done, this start could show whether or not Beckett is worth the 4 year deal.

Just hours before the first pitch there is only one thing left to say...PLAY BALL!

Lester

A complete pitcher in every sense of the word, Jon Lester is the Race's front runner for the AL Cy Young award. Featuring his signature cutter, which veers away from left-handed hitters and rides in on the hands of righties, Lester was able to focus his efforts last year on developing another pitch. Gaining more confidence in his changeup has been instrumental in his success. He has primarily been throwing it to lefties, keeping them off both his cutter and mid-90's fastball.  Oh yea, don't forget about his 12 to 6 curve ball which seemingly brings with with it every time it's thrown.

Recently Lester has polished off a solid spring, throwing seven innings of three hit ball. It should be interesting to see if he can take this momentum and run with it.