Five AL Cy Young contenders as we enter the middle of August

With less than one and a half months left in the season, the Cy Young race is going to heat up. As of now, there are five legitimate contenders to win the prestigious pitching award. For these pitchers, it is going to be fun to watch them compete down the stretch.

Chris Sale-Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox knew they were getting a Cy Young contender when they unloaded their farm system to acquire Sale.

However, this season Sale might actually win the award. Sale is 14-3 with an American League leading 2.57 Earned Run Average. He also leads the league in innings pitched (161.1) and strikeouts (229). The actually leads the strikeout mark by 30. It's a long shot, but he could join Clayton Kershaw as the only pitchers with 300 strikeouts since 2010.

Corey Kluber-Cleveland Indians

Kluber has the second best ERA in the AL with a 2.65 mark. He is 10-3 on the year despite missing some time with an injury. His innings are 30 less than Sale, but Kluber has made up for it in the time he has pitched. The Indians are leading their division has a hand in that.

He is holding batters to .195 on the year and has a 0.91 WHIP, which is just .03 worse than Sale. Kluber could put up the best fight against Sale.

James Paxton-Seattle Mariners

Some may not have had Paxton in their Cy Young predictions at the beginning of the year. Paxton has been solid for the Mariners and has even been better than Felix Hernandez, who actually owns a Cy Young award. Paxton is 12-3 with a 2.78 earned run average. He holds batters to a .218 batting average and has 138 strikeouts in 119 innings pitched. The Mariners are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2001. Paxton could lead them there, and pick up some hardware.

Luis Severino-New York Yankees

Severino may have the lowest win totals out of these contenders, but his other stats shine.

Severino is 9-4 with a 2.91 earned run average in 139.1 innings pitched, but has 166 strikeouts. His 1.07 WHIP is the third best in the AL and ties Paxton with the fourth best opposing batting average at .218. Severino could really raise his stock down the stretch as the Yankees are in a playoff hunt and Masahiro Tanaka and CC Sabathia are on the DL.

Chris Archer-Tampa Bay Rays

His earned run average is bloated at 3.80. However, his other stats are dazzling. Archer has the second most innings pitched and strikeouts in the AL. Archer has thrown 154 innings and has 189 strikeouts. Despite being just 8-6 on the year, Archer has made 24 starts. If the Rays can sneak into the playoffs, and Archer can lower his ERA to the mid-threes, it's possible he could get some votes.