Rick Porcello: If you put money on Porcello winning the American League Cy Young this season, then I’m never gambling against you. Porcello posted impressive numbers last season going 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA. Pretty good for Pretty Ricky, a guy who was expected to play number two to David Price all season. The former Tigers prospect is going to have all eyes on him next season when it comes to production, and could be the first person to repeat as AL Cy Young since another Red Sox pitcher won back to back in ’99 and 2000 (Pedro Martinez). But is it likely?
My Take: I don’t think Porcello will repeat as AL Cy Young winner. That I think will be the only thing I get right in this whole article. Porcello will have a good season, but not in the terms of what he had this season. The Red Sox will have plenty of power to help him out, but Porcello and his 2016 campaign was some sort of anomaly that can’t be explained. He doesn’t overpower hitters (he probably tops out at 92-93), but hits his spots very well and threw strikes. He’s dependable. A guy that you can say will go 7IP and maybe get half a dozen strikeouts. A 2013 John Lackey type, only not as big of a clubhouse cancer.
My Prediction: A comfortable 13-10 3.55 ERA and just under 200.0 IP and in the 170-190 K’s range.