That’s why the WAR as calculated by Fangraphs has Cueto with 4.6 WAR and Dickey with 4.4—still a lead for Cueto, but statistically insignificant, and, more importantly, an indication that while the stat may be a useful ingredient in a discussion it’s certainly not an argument ender.

It’s like fielding metrics: the several different systems and their metrics often disagree on whether a given player is even a good or bad fielder. If you look at all the numbers, though, and they’re pretty consistent on one (or several) player(s), then that offers a level of confidence in making a comparison but not a whole lot more.

Once could make a case that Dickey’s 5 complete games (to Cueto’s 2) and his 3 shutouts (to Cueto’s zero) and his over 7 ip per start (to Cueto’s 6.7) outweigh any lead Cueto may have in WAR (6.0 to 5.0 per bb-ref’s WAR formula).

Either of the two, though, would be a deserving choice for the award, assuming neither has a meltdown or two in the next few weeks.

Fangraphs has Cueto third among pitchers with 4.6, Dickey next with 4.4. Gio and Kershaw rate higher than Cueto. Baseball Reference has Cueto at 6, Dickey at 5.

WAR is an excellent stat, but it is not so exact that a difference of 1 or less can be considered the basis for selecting one player over another for MVP or CY Young, especially with the different ratings between the top two, and the other stats available. To assume that the difference “blows Dickey out of the water” is the thought of a moron.

There is a decent argument for Cueto. You weren’t smart enough to make it.

And idiots, here is a stat that is blows R.A out of the water.

W.A.R
1 Mike Trout LAA 9.3
2 Robinson Cano NYY 6.2
3 Justin Verlander DET 6.1
4 Johnny Cueto CIN 6.0
5 David Wright NYM 5.9
Miguel Cabrera DET 5.9
7 Ryan Braun MIL 5.8
Michael Bourn ATL 5.8
9 Yadier Molina STL 5.5
10 Adrian Beltre TEX 5.4

Do you see Dickey here. Nope. Cueto and Verlander are the only 2 pitchers in the top 10. Guess who is your CY Young. Stupid NY writers and idiot fans that think if the team isn’t on the coast then they are irrelevant.

Oh and Met Fans, what happened the last time your vaunted Dickey Faced the 1st Place Reds.

Seven shutout innings, 3 H, 9 K. Granted, it was the Cubs, but it came a start after shutting out the Cards.

I was more interested to see Shelby Miller have a great debut in relief: 2 innings, 4 K’s , zero runs.

CY Young.