Henry Roldán
The second half of the season begins this Thursday in the Major Leagues, and in Las Vegas they are already starting to release their favorites for various awards, such as the leader in effectiveness in all baseball.
At the moment, Shane McClanahan is the leader in the category at 1.71, but there are several names on the following list that could give the Tampa Bay Rays starter a run for his money.
2022 MLB 2022 RBI Leader Favorites Heading into Second Half
Tony Gonsolin (50-1)
The Dodgers’ starter is one of the pleasant surprises of the season, as he is the only undefeated pitcher in baseball among those who qualify with innings pitched and finished the first half with the league’s fourth-best ERA at 2.02. We will see if Tony Gonsolin half will be able to maintain his dominance against his rivals in the second.
Corbin Burnes (35-1)
While Corbin Burnes finished the first half of the season behind Gonsolin with a 2.14 ERA, the Brewers’ starter is one of the best pitchers in the majors, and his Cy Young Award last season proves it. The right-hander was the effectiveness leader in 2021 with 2.43 and has all the arguments to fight again this season for the department.
Justin Verlander (20-1)
The experienced Justin Verlander has let us know that not even Tommy John surgery can diminish his skills on the mound, and, at 39 years of age, he is still one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. The Astros’ starter finished the first half with an ERA of 1.89, ranking third overall in the category and staying very close to the leaders.
Shane McClanahan (15-1)
When you look at the category table, you will notice that Shane McClanahan finished the first half as the leader with an ERA of 1.71. So, many will wonder why he is not the top favorite to be MLB’s effectiveness leader in 2022. Well, the answer to that is that you have to see how the Rays handle him in the second half due to their playing philosophy and his youth. The right-hander did not pitch many innings in the first half of the season and while that allowed him not to get as many runs, with a couple of starts off his performance it could cost him a lot to bring his effectiveness back down.
Sandy Alcántara (10-1)
The National League’s leading candidate to win the Cy Young this season finished as the category leader in the old circuit and close behind McClanahan at 1.76. Sandy Alcantara pitched just over 20 more innings than the Rays’ starter, and, while that could be a con, it could be something that favors him by giving him more opportunities to lower his effectiveness.
