Two Cubs aces up for Best Pitcher Award

Some get it done with pure heat. Some dazzle with cartoonish curveballs. Some are so dialed in with command that they’d seemingly be able to paint the corners of the strike zone while blindfolded.

But when it comes to being an elite pitcher in the Major Leagues, only one thing really matters: getting hitters out.

With the 2016 season winding down, it’s time to start thinking about awards, and one of the most sought-after honors will be the Esurance MLB Award for Best Pitcher.

This year, the five finalists have different styles on the mound but similar dominant results. They are Madison Bumgarner of the Giants, Kyle Hendricks and Jon Lester of the Cubs, former American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber of the Indians and Max Scherzer of the Nationals.

The Esurance MLB Awards annually honor Major League Baseball’s greatest achievements as part of an industry-wide balloting process that includes five groups, each of which accounts for 20 percent of the overall vote: media, front-office personnel, retired Major Leaguers, fans at MLB.com and Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) voters.

• Vote: Esurance MLB Awards balloting begins

The MLB Awards are an all-inclusive program, encompassing the top players and performances from both the American and National Leagues from Opening Day through the end of the postseason.

Individual awards will go to the Best Major Leaguer in addition to the winners in the following categories: Best Hitter, Pitcher, Rookie, Defensive Player, Manager, Executive, Social Media Personality and Postseason Performer.

Winners will also be recognized for the year’s Best Offensive Play, Defensive Play, Moment, Single-Game Performance, Social Media Post, Fan Catch, Interview, Broadcast Call, …

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