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Blue Jays: Potential for players to take home some personal hardware

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 17: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs out a solo home run in the third inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre on September 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 17: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays runs out a solo home run in the third inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre on September 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Blue Jays
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 20: Robbie Ray #38 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch to the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field on September 20, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

Robbie Ray

Signing with the Blue Jays on a one-year, $8 million dollar contract this past off-season, Robbie Ray has been one of the most pleasant surprises in the rotation.

Through 30 starts, Ray has amassed a 2.72 ERA, which currently leads the American League, while also striking out 238 batters compared to 45 walks and a 1.03 WHIP. The southpaw has held opponents to a .212 batting average and has been prominently inserted into the Cy Young discussion over the past month.

His biggest competition for the award is New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole. The ace of the rotation currently sits just behind Ray with a 3.08 ERA through 29 starts but has 237 strikeouts, one strikeout below the Jays left-hander while pitching 6.9 innings (one start) less.

Ray has given up five fewer earned runs (55) compared to the Yankees fireballer and also leads the AL in multiple pitching categories such as WHIP and strikeouts while sitting second behind Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in terms of opponents batting average.

This race will be tight until the end as both pitchers will get at least two more starts to finish the season, which could be the difference-maker as to who takes home the Cy Young award this year. Ray gets the ball in an important game today against the Minnesota Twins while Cole gave up three earned runs against the Boston Red Sox yesterday.

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