Julio Urías saw his National League-leading ERA increase ever so slightly to 2.30, but he otherwise turned in another strong start to help the Los Angeles Dodgers bounce back against the San Diego Padres.
Urías allowed just two runs — on Manny Machado solo homers — as he pitched through early struggles to get through seven innings. Along with leading the NL in ERA, Urías is near the top with a 0.97 WHIP (second), 16 wins (second) and .197 opponents’ batting average (third).
“He should be right there,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Urías belonging in the NL Cy Young Award conversation that has been dominated by Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara.
“Last year, I thought he was slighted as far as not being part of the conversation. This year, he’s back with another really good year. With all the numbers guys look at, with what he’s done this season, it’s worthy of the conversation. No doubt about it.
“I think Julio has been throwing the baseball as well as anybody in baseball since the (All-Star) break. Or even before the break, actually. I certainly don’t have a vote, but it’s hard to ignore what this guy does for a championship-caliber ballclub.
“He wasn’t an All-Star this year for some ridiculous reason, so to be able to be in that Cy Young conversation, I think that’s the floor.”
Prior to Roberts, Freddie Freeman expressed his belief that Urías deserved Cy Young recognition. Freeman reiterated that stance after Urías latest outing.
Although Alcántara has long been the presumed 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, he’s quietly hit a rough patch of late. Beginning with a season-worst start against the Dodgers on Aug. 21, the right-hander has twice allowed six earned runs.
Julio Urías not focused on Cy Young
At various points this season, the 26-year-old has downplayed the Cy Young Award debate and if he’s the Dodgers’ ace. Last year, Urías was the only 20-game winner in baseball but finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting.
The last Dodgers Cy Young Award winner was Clayton Kershaw in 2014.
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