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C'mon, Doc. I have to pick? One guy, tomorrow? OK, for enjoyment, I'll pick Maddux because I enjoyed watching him pitch more than anybody ever (Seaver and Pedro would be on the very short list, too....and Unit). Maddux was the best I ever watched at the 'craft" of pitching.
But if it is Game 7, I'm probably throwing Johnson, maybe. Wait, it's Maddux. Arrrrrgh. I don't know. I actually thought I would pick Unit because I had the impression that during their best 4- year streaks ('99-'02 for Johnson = 4 Cy's and '92-'95 for Maddux = 4 Cy's. Both led thel eague in ERA 3 times over that span, Maddux led it in FIP all 4 years, Johnson 3 of them. Unit led in WHIP once, Mad Dog 3 times) he closed the deal more often than Maddux. But 'twasn't so. Johnson went the distance in 31 of 139 starts, roughly 22% of the time. Maddux did so in 37 of 124 starts, right at 30%.
OK, Maddux. I'm in. Certainly if it is Game 6! Johnson brings a scare factor that would be very useful in #7. Crap.....
But it is close. Here's something interesting, Seaver's best 4 year run starts in '70 (so you don't count his '69 Cy year, or '75's. From '70-'73 he finished 71 of the 132 games he started. That's nearly 54%. But people did stuff like that then. Seaver only had 1 Cy during that streak ('73) losing to a Murderer's Row of Gibson, Jenkins and Carlton in the 3 previous years.
Those 4 (Maddux, Johnson, Seaver, Pedro) were the best I ever watched. I do not include Clemens any more.
Felix is on the very short list. Just a small tier below. "Kuma? My goodness, he's good. Extend please. Right now.
OK, I'll pick Maddux, then Johnson, then Seaver, then Pedro.....with 'Kuma coming up hard on the rail! :)
But you are right. Currently, 'Kuma is our Ace!
Spahn and Sain and pray for rain!
moe