ESPN - Giants vs. Padres - Recap - September 13, 2008

Lincecum states his Cy Young case emphatically.

Complete game shutout, 12Ks.

He has the credentials for the Cy: .850 winning percentage for one of the worst teams in baseball (they are 50-78 in other decisions), 2.43 ERA, 237 Ks. He leads the league in all three categories, which together should constitute the pitching triple crown. He is also second in wins behind Webb.

One cannot ignore Webb's 20 wins or Sabathia's perfect record, but my vote would go to Lincecum. He's made me believe.

He started this season 23 years old, and he's making only $405,000 in salary this year. He may make a lot more than that in the future if the arm stays healthy.

Sidebar: Lincecum is one of the smallest pitchers in the game at 170 pounds. Strikeout pitchers are usually big, strong dudes. Look at the all-time leaders in K/9 innings. Nolan Ryan is an extremely powerful 195 (he set records on leg-strength exercises). Kerry Wood is 6'5" 220. Randy Johnson is larger than most European countries. Curt Schilling is 6'4", 215. Dwight Gooden is 6'3", 210. Among those leaders, only Pedro Martinez is Lincecum's size