There are three American League pitchers within four K's of one another atop the leader boards. Just behind Weaver is Mariners' right-hander Felix Hernandez who posts 145 strikeouts on the year. Right on his heels is Boston's own southpaw, Jon Lester, who has 143. The three pitchers post comparable stats in nearly every category, but who will finish the season on top?
Not only does he currently top the trio in strikeouts this season, but Weaver has also pitched the fewest innings of the three pitchers. Compared to Hernandez's 160 and Lester's 135.2, Weaver has pitched 134 innings on the year with more K's. He has also allowed the fewest walks amongst the top three, giving out 30 as opposed to 45 by Hernandez and 48 by Lester. His recent development of his two-seam fastball balanced with his four-seamer definitely keeps batters guessing at the plate.
Of the three pitchers, Fernandez posts the lowest ERA of the bunch with a 2.86 versus Weaver's 3.22 and Lester's 2.92. Fernandez serves as Seattle's go-to guy on the mound now that Cliff Lee has been traded to Texas, and he has filled that role well. King Felix's145 K's prove that he is well on his way to a career year, as he is just 72 strikeouts away from matching his 2009 count (217), the season he finished second in votes for the AL Cy Young Award.
Then we have the Red Sox' workhorse in Lester. He has carried the team's mound efforts all season long and is the only pitcher of the three mentioned that is above 10 wins this season (11-5). He's also seen the least amount of appearances in comparison to Weaver and Fernandez. There's no doubt that Lester brings it every time he steps to the mound with speed, strength and stamina, and he's showing no sign of slowing at this point in the season.
So which player will lead the AL in strikeouts this year? For Jered Weaver, text "SOX1" to 542542. If you think it's Felix Hernandez, text "SOX2" to 542542. Or if you believe it will be Jon Lester, text "SOX3" to 542542.
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