I think you deserve a pat on the back for derailing what could of been a 7 page long dice/hgm debate.
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I'm a sucker for consistency. Webb and Haren
No one even makes an argument for Halladay-Hamels? I thought they were definitely the top 1-2 punch
You're right. Overlooked that duo.
For the same reason people are overrating Cain, people are underrating Hamels (one had a lucky 2009, the other an unlucky one). I'd take Hamels over Cain easily, and Halladay and Lincecum are probably the two leading preseason Cy Young candidates, so they're a push...which means, yeah, I'd take them over Lincecum/Cain, though I still prefer Felix/Lee to them.
I too went for Webb/Haren because of the consistency. I think Webb is the type of pitcher who can bounce back very well after an injury. I don't think he will Liriano on the baseball world.
Personally I think that Lee/Hernandez could easily overtake them though. I then place Cain/Lincecum #3 because of Cain's consistency. I think it is a push with Halladay/Lincecum and I take Cain over Hamels. I think Cain is the better pitcher and Hamels is the better thrower. I think Hamels has more potential than Cain, but I think Cain has a better chance at pitching near his ceiling...so far. If Hamels pitches close to his 2008 season then I think they could be the best in 2010.
I'm going to make a case for Verlander/Scherzer. They both play in front of very solid defenses, and they probably have the raw stuff to match up with anyone on that list.
If I'm being fair, Hernandez/Lee is more likely to be better in 2010, but I'm voting for Verlander/Scherzer. If Verlander gets some better luck, and Scherzer takes a step forward in development, the chance is there that they could be the best.
I didn't vote because the difference between the top guys is nothing. However, if I did I would have voted for someone with a good defense SF/SEA/BOS/STL just because they have a higher chance of avoiding being unlucky.
The only thing I care about is Felix fixing a lot of the problems he had last year to be even better.
Who are the guys you think don't belong on this poll? If that's what you're inferring. I tend to lean toward Burnett - Sabathia and Kershaw - Billingsley. I think Kershaw and Billingsley will be down the road, maybe even as soon as this year, but not just yet. And I really don't think Burnett is an ace pitcher at all, I don't even think he's a solid #2. I think he's a decent #2, but I think he's more of a really good #3, if that makes any sense. Sabathia, sure, if he holds up (which I think is a big question mark moving forward given the workload he's had in his career and the fact that he's never been in great shape), but not Burnett.
I wasn't really trying to get at that, but I'd say Kershaw/Billingsley don't belong at the top and neither does CC/Burnett. I guess an easy way to look through the list is to just look at all the pitchers who are strong Cy Young Candidates. I don't think I would call Burnett/Kershaw/Billingsley strong Cy Young Candidates.
Derek Lowe & Kenshin Kawakami = bestest in the MLB!!
Actually, Hanson and Jurrjens aren't too bad. Should have a better idea after this year.
verlander and poorchello (thats how i intentionally pronounce it) will be a great 1-2 combo after porcello develops.