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From mlb.com

THE FAVORITES

Carpenter, Cardinals: There is more to the resilient 34-year-old's comeback than just those five lost weeks early this season, of course. He lost 2007-08 (total of 21 innings) to Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery and a shoulder issue. The last time Carpenter returned from a lost season (a torn labrum kept him shelved for 2003), he nabbed a Cy Young Award in 2005. So, talk about karma. You can also talk about his 12-1 record after the end of June, and that he became the first St. Louis pitcher to lead the league in ERA in 21 years (Joe Magrane, 1988).

Wainwright, Cardinals: Yes, it is extremely rare for mound mates to co-lead the pack, but the league's top winner (19) with an ERA not too far behind that of Carpenter absolutely belongs. The Cards won 23 of Wainwright's 34 starts -- in 26 of which he allowed two runs or fewer. And here's a bizarre item to keep in mind: Should Wainwright prevail, it would make back-to-back Cy Young Award winners born on Aug. 30, coupled with Cleveland's Cliff Lee last year.

THE CONTENDER

Lincecum, Giants: The Freak couldn't have done much more to defend his Cy Young Award status. He wound up with a comparable strikeout total and 16 fewer walks and a lower ERA than a year ago, although his record took a hit from the Giants' inability to hit consistently. Lincecum had no-decisions in three starts in which he allowed one run or none. Following their early-September match, Pedro Martinez said Lincecum "reminds me a little bit of me, but he's twice as good as me at this time of my career."