The races for individual awards in Major League Baseball are always fun to watch.
Even in the early portion of the season, when there is no clear favorite to win each award, the races are interesting and compelling.
The race for the National League Cy Young Award is already shaping up to be an interesting one.
There are a few pitchers who were expected to be front and center in the Cy Young race.
Zac Gallen and Spencer Strider are two pitchers who are in the thick of it right now.
However, there are also a few pitchers fans may not have expected to see on the list.
On Twitter, MLB posted a list of the current top-5 NL Cy Young contenders.
Some surprising contenders for NL Cy Young.
Do you agree with https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39's ranking? pic.twitter.com/gTEAgwVp9S
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2023
Gallen and Strider make up the top two spots.
The bottom three spots is where things get interesting.
Clayton Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards during his legendary career.
However, he hasn’t quite been the ace he once was over the past several years.
This year is a different story for the veteran left-hander, however, and he is pitching like his old self again.
Mitch Keller has also proven to be a steady presence in the starting rotation of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele comes in at No. 5 on the list.
The young lefty has been a force in the Cubs rotation, emerging as an unlikely ace next to veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman.
A lot can change over the next few months, but the race for the NL Cy Young should still be a compelling one to watch.
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