eastbaybaseball

On CSNBAYAREA.COM they posted a poll on who is the best 1,2 punch in the NL West? The nominees are as followed: Giants- Tim Lincecum/ Matt Cain, Dodgers- Chad Billingsley/ Randy Wolf, Padres- Jake Peavy/ Chris Young, Diamondbacks- Brandon Webb/ Dan Haren, and Rockies- Aaron Cook/ Ubaldo Jimenez.

In the past, the favorites for the best formidable 1,2 punch in the NL West would have been Cy Young Award winners Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, but in 2009, it has been a different story for the aces of the NL West.  My pick on who is the best 1,2 punch in the NL West is reigning 2008 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and the young powerballer Matt Cain.  They are both only 24 years old and both pitch like they have been veterans in the league.  Everytime they take the mound, you feel like you have a chance to win that game just like when many of the other aces in the NL West take the mound for their respective teams.

Let’s breakdown the 2009 seasons of the 1,2 punches in the NL West and also include some accolades to each player.

Giants:

Tim Lincecum RHP 3-1, 3.03 E.R.A 2008 NL Cy Young Award Winner, 2008 NL All-Star Nominee

Matt Cain        RHP 6-1, 2.31 E.R.A.

Dodgers:

Chad Billingsley RHP 6-3, 2.80 E.R.A.

Randy Wolf LHP 3-1, 2.84 E.R.A.

Padres:

Jake Peavy RHP 5-5, 3.67 E.R.A. 2007 NL Cy Young Award Winner

Chris Young RHP 4-3, 4.45 E.R.A.

D-Backs:

Brandon Webb RHP 0-0 13.50 E.R.A., 2006 NL Cy Young Award Winner

Dan Haren RHP 4-4, 2.54 E.R.A. , 2007 & 2008 All-Star Nominee

Rockies:

Aaron Cook RHP 3-3, 4.94 E.R.A., 2008 NL-All Star Nominee

Ubaldo Jimenez RHP 3-6, 4.37 E.R.A

Clearly, the 2009 numbers of these 1,2 punches favor the Giants young aces in Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, who combine with a 9-2 record.