4 Early Favorites for the AL Cy Young Award

Now more than two months into the MLB season, the league is starting to separate players' whose hot starts were benefits of good luck from those who are truly playing spectacular ball. On the mound, the elite starters of the American League are making themselves known. These four players have emerged as frontrunners for the AL Cy Young Award.

4. Jake Odorizzi

Odorizzi owns an AL-leading 1.96 ERA in what has been a breakout campaign for him with the Minnesota Twins. Though his 4.27 xFIP suggests some regression to the mean is lurking, there's no denying that he belongs near the top of the list for consideration. He's fanned 70 batters across 64.1 innings pitched, and his 21 walks help support a stunning 0.96 WHIP.

3. Charlie Morton

Morton has been one of the major keys to Tampa Bay's 38-23 start to the year. He's posted a 2.30 ERA in 74.1 frames of work while striking 91 batters. Morton has been unreal to start the season, and the veteran is proving to be an outstanding addition for Tampa.

2. Lucas Giolito

Giolito finally seems to have transformed into the ace that everyone expected him to be when he was first traded to the White Sox. He owns a 2.54 ERA and an AL-leading 2.63 FIP, all while posting a 2.6 fWAR, not only prove that he's no fluke, but that he deserves to be in the Cy Young conversation. Chicago's newest star has gone 23 consecutive innings without letting up a run, following his 11-strikeout performance on Saturday.

1. Justin Verlander

Age hasn't slowed Verlander down one bit. The 36-year-old is in the midst of yet another stellar season, posting a 2.40 ERA with a 0.737 WHIP to boot. He's averaging close to seven innings per start, meaning that Houston's relievers pretty much have the night off when he toes the rubber. JV epitomizes the idea of aging gracefully and has truly established himself at the forefront of the Cy Young conversation