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Verlander wins AL Cy Young for 2nd time

Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander has won the American League Cy Young Award for the second time in his career, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Wednesday.

Pitcher Team 1st 2nd 3rd Points
Justin Verlander HOU 17 13 171
Gerrit Cole HOU 13 17 159
Charlie Morton TB 18 75
Shane Bieber CLE 11 64

Verlander narrowly beat out Astros teammate Gerrit Cole and former teammate Charlie Morton - now with the Tampa Bay Rays - winning the award for the first time since 2011 when he was pitching for the Detroit Tigers.

"It's just truly incredible," Verlander said during an appearance on MLB Network, according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. "2011 was just a magical season. I didn't have to grind through much at that point in time. A lot has changed since then, personally and professionally.

"It just makes it that much sweeter. Having come so close a couple other times, all that this means, it's just such an incredible feeling."

This is the fifth time in MLB history two teammates have finished first and second in Cy Young voting and the first time ever for a pair of AL teammates, according to MLB.com's Sarah Langs.

It's also the second time a pitcher has thrown a no-hitter and won the AL Cy Young in the same season, according to Stats by STATS. Verlander was the first to do so in 2011.

"Wow, what a year. I offer congrats to JV on an incredible accomplishment, especially given his competition," Astros manager AJ Hinch said, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "He led our pitching staff in so many ways and continued to dominate all season. He was every bit the workhorse and consistent starter, both defining characteristics of an ace.

"I'm happy for him to be recognized yet again. Job well done."

Verlander, 36, led baseball with 21 wins and 223 innings pitched in 2019, posting a 3.27 FIP and 300 strikeouts.

His 0.80 WHIP was tops in MLB and the third-lowest mark by a pitcher in a qualified season since 1900, according to Langs. Only Pedro Martinez (0.74 in 2000) and Walter Johnson (0.78 in 1913) posted lower numbers in the category.

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