Corbin turned in the finest season of his career in 2018. He ranked among the top 10 in most categories, averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings, and effectively limited the long ball (0.68 HR/9, second in NL). Corbin parlayed his brilliant season into a six-year, $140-million deal with the Nationals.

A shoulder injury kept him from qualifying for the leaderboards, but it didn't stop Sale from producing another stellar season. Despite throwing just 158 innings, the lanky lefty's 237 strikeouts ranked third in the league. He allowed only 11 home runs, a career low as a starting pitcher.

A trade to the Astros revitalized Cole, who put together a career season. He led all pitchers in strikeouts per nine, was second in Ks (276) and hits allowed per nine (6.4), and ranked top-5 in WHIP and innings pitched.

The Klu-Bot could have easily won a second straight (and third career) Cy Young in 2018. Kluber was his usual dominant self for the Indians, winning 20 games and sitting at or near the top of every important statistical category. He was once again a workhorse, surpassing the 200-inning mark for a fifth straight year and leading the AL in innings for the first time.

Hader had no set role in the Brewers' bullpen, but he was virtually unhittable when called upon. The 24-year-old became the first reliever since 2004 to strike out at least 140 hitters. He surrendered just nine homers and 30 walks, and didn't allow a run in the playoffs. In April, he set a single-game record by striking out eight batters in 2 2/3 innings.

Nola's emergence as the Phillies' ace was a big reason why they made a run at a playoff berth in 2018. The 25-year-old ranked among the top NL pitchers in most statistical categories, and did a very good job of limiting home runs while pitching in a hitter-friendly home park. Nola also struck out over 200 hitters for the first time.

Verlander's first full season in Houston saw a return to the award-winning form of his Tigers years, as he led AL hurlers in starts, strikeouts (his sixth strikeout title), WHIP, and strikeout-to-walk ratio. He tallied more Ks and posted a lower WHIP than during his MVP season of 2011. Verlander also collected his 200th career win and 2,500th strikeout in 2018.

The Rays may have popularized the "opener," but they didn't need one when Snell started. The 26-year-old won the AL Cy Young in his third big-league season. He was almost unhittable, giving up an MLB-best 5.6 hits per nine innings while also leading in wins, ERA, ERA+, and WAR (per Baseball-Reference). Snell was a key reason why the Rays won 90 games in 2018.

Scherzer had a season to remember, recording only the seventh 300-strikeout campaign this century. He led in strikeouts for a third straight year, topped 250 Ks for the fifth time, and for good measure also led in wins, innings, complete games, shutouts, WHIP, Ks per nine, and hits allowed per nine. No, he didn't win a third straight Cy Young, but that's not Scherzer's fault.

DeGrom delivered a season for the ages, rising above a borderline unwatchable Mets team that offered him the league's third-lowest run support. His 1.70 ERA was the second-lowest since 2000 - the eighth-lowest since 1950 - and broke a 108-year-old record by making 29 consecutive quality starts. There was not one hurler who could match deGrom in 2018.