Sept. 22--Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon admits he doesn't have a vote for the National League Cy Young Award, but he gave the strongest recommendation for Jake Arrieta, who will try to win his 20th game Tuesday night agiainst the Milwaukee Brewers.
"I get to see him every day," Maddon said Monday night. "I see an incredible performance. The body of work is staggering. I've never seen it. I had a Cy Young Award winner with David Price (with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012). James Shields came close (in 2011). I've seen it. and those guys are really, really good.
"(But) I've never seen anything like this -- a combination of pure stuff and results. It's incredible to watch. Since Bob Gibson, this is the best second half ever.
"So you have to consider what's happening down the stretch and how the guys perform, the body of work, what he means to his team -- all those kind of things. That why I believe Jake should land at the top. But who knows?
Arrieta's 1.96 ERA is second to Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers (1.65). Greinke (18-3) leads the NL in winning percentage (.857), with Arrieta second (.760).
"All I know is what I've seen is outstanding to watch," Maddon said. "And I've never seen it before."
