San Francisco Giants:2016 Team Award Predictions-Pitching

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Mar 25, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Wins: Johnny Cueto

Having Madison Bumgarner in the rotation has been such a gift for the team and its fans. Knowing that you’ve got a guy who you can run out there every fifth day and get a quality start more often than not, allows the team to focus on other areas for improvement. Well welcome our new number 2 starter (who would be a number one on many staffs) Johnny Cueto. Not that Bumgarner is set to falter this season, on the contrary. His win totals (18 in each of the last two seasons) will remain near the top of the league. But Cueto had a down year last season, even while winning the World Series with Kansas City. And after winning 20 games in 2014 on a Cincinnati Reds team that finished with 76 wins on the season, Cueto is primed to bounce back in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the game.

Along with another bounce-back contender Jeff Samardzija, Cueto will be given more than enough run support. He is entering his prime years as a pitcher, not quite as hard-throwing as he might have been, but a lot more savvy at getting quick outs. Look for both Cueto and Bumgarner to be in the competition for the Cy Young Award late into September. My Prediction: 19 wins to Bumgarner’s 17, with a few games being decided late in games after they have departed. Which means the bullpen will have a lot of chances at earning victories as well. 19 wins will place Cueto 2nd in the league and Bumgarner 4th.

Next: ERA Champ