Gerrit Cole had a good season for the Yankees (16-8, 3.23), but I don't really like his chances. He's got 117 wins at 31, and is going to get a bum rap for the cheating rumors.
Chris Sale won five games in nine starts this season. He hasn't really produced at an average level since 2018, when he was just untouchable. If he can't get back to form, he'll be left out of Cooperstown.
Jacob deGrom went 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 15 starts this year. He's absolutely one of the greatest pitchers of all time, but if he can't last (77 career wins in 198 starts through his age 33 season), then I guess he can't make it. He needs 73 wins to match Dizzy Dean's total, who's got the fewest wins among Hall of Fame starters and had a similar career.
Stephen Strasburg may still be in his prime, as he has pitched only 26 2/3 innings since 2019, when he led the NL in wins and innings. He's got only 113 lifetime wins and a 3.16 ERA, and seeing as how he's lost two seasons to injuries, I suspect that he won't make it.
Madison Bumgarner had an appalling season with the Diamondbacks (4.67 ERA in 146 1/3 innings), but he went 7-10 for a team that went 52-110, and he was one of their best players this season. Since his catcher, future Hall of Famer Buster Posey, is now retired, there is little hope that MadBum will be able to make it. A Giants postseason legend, Bumgarner won't be forgotten, but it sure is sad seeing what looked like a Hall of Fame career just crumble.
40 year old Adam Wainwright has just had an amazing season, as he went 17-7 with a 3.05 ERA. I like his chances for the Hall.
David Price pitched 39 games (11 starts) for the Dodgers this season, providing much value as he returned to the starting rotation when the Dodgers lost Trevor Bauer and Clayton Kershaw. Unfortunately, voters don't seem to take those things into account, and he's not a Hall of Famer, anyway.
Cole Hamels is probably retired. With a lifetime record of 163-122 and a 3.43 career ERA, he will not make it.
Felix Hernandez is also retired, and he won't make the Hall of Fame either (169-136, 3.41).
Jon Lester had a rough season this year, but it really doesn't matter. He won his 200th game this season, which certainly helps, and he's about to reach 2,500 strikeouts. That, and his performances for World Champions Boston in 2013 and Chicago in 2016, make him an easy Hall of Famer.
Zack Greinke might finally be slowing down. He was tacked with a 4.16 ERA this season, but he will probably reach 3,000 strikeouts next season. He'll make it.
Max Scherzer, at 37 years old, is still one of the best pitchers in baseball and might take home his fourth Cy Young Award after a great season (2.46 ERA). He struck out his 3,000th batter this season, and is starting to build a case as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
Justin Verlander didn't pitch this season, but his credentials are already going to do it (226-129, 3,013 strikeouts). Like Strasburg, he may still be in his prime, and if he is, then he could be the greatest pitcher of the 21st century.
Clayton Kershaw has been the best pitcher in baseball since 2008, his rookie season. His 2.49 ERA and .688 winning percentage are some of the greatest marks in history.
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