Padres Rumors: Writer Predicts 2 Friars Finish Top 5 in NL Cy Young Voting, Neither Win

They're both deserving of the award.

The San Diego Padres entered the season with high hopes for a successful season. However, things haven’t gone their way to this point.

They have seen a wildly inconsistent offensive performance all season long, and weirdly, they have been led by their pitching. Entering the season, most would have agreed that their pitching staff was the weakness on this roster, but they have proven to be more effective than expected.

The Friars have seen some strong performances from pitchers this year, including two dominant ones in Blake Snell and Josh Hader. Both have helped keep the Padres afloat during this tough year, and both are in the running for individual awards down the stretch.

One writer believes that both Snell and Hader will finish in the top five of the National League Cy Young award voting, but neither will win the award.

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report has Snell coming in second place behind Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants, and Hader landing in fifth place in the voting.

“Snell has a stellar ERA, but his walk rate is atrocious, issuing at least three free passes in eight straight starts before a slightly more economical two-walk outing Wednesday against Baltimore. He has pitched into the seventh inning just once all season.”

Per Bleacher Report

For the season, Snell owns an ERA of 2.65 with a 10-8 record. He has struck out 176 batters over 136 innings of work.

Snell has been incredible for the Padres this season and could easily win the award with a strong performance in the last month of the season.

As for Hader, he has been one of the best relievers in the game. He owns an almost unhittable ERA of 0.82, with a WHIP of 0.92.

“Josh Hader should also sneak into the mix with a 0.84 ERA. He hasn't allowed an earned run since the end of May and is almost unarguably the best reliever in the majors. If he can keep that scoreless streak going for another six weeks, he might even get some first-place votes."

Per Bleacher Report

Both men deserve the award, and it wouldn’t be a shock if either were to win. They have kept San Diego alive this season and deserve all the praise given toward them the rest of the way.