Justin Verlander of the World Series champion Houston Astros is a heavy favourite to win his third Cy Young Award after the 39-year-old ace went 18-4 with a major league-low 1.75 earned-run average this season in a marvelous comeback from Tommy John surgery.
Alek Manoah of the Toronto Blue Jays and fellow right-hander Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox are the other American League Cy Young finalists.
Manoah, who emerged as ace of the Blue Jays' starting rotation, is the ninth and youngest pitcher in franchise history to be named a finalist.
The 24-year-old from Homestead, Fla., led Toronto with 16 victories this past season and his 2.24 ERA ranked fourth in the major leagues.
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