Chad Billingsley: Best RH Starter In The Majors?

Here's another potential Cy Young award candidate-Chad Billingsley (wished I had spent the $31 I used on Jose Valverde on Billingsley in the UBA draft). I was reading the LA Times articles yesterday about Chad Billingsley's performance vs the Astros on Thursday night. The article, written by James Peltz, quoted manager Joe Torre praising Billingsley, aka Billz. Torre said that the team needed a solid performance from Billz after losing the first two in Houston, and letting the Wednesday night game get away in the 8th, and he stepped up.

Peltz went on to opine that Billz is close to, if not already, the best RH starting pitcher in the majors.

Here are Billz's stats this season:

                             IP         W            K's          ERA              WHIP

                            26.1       4             26           2.05             0.87 

Billz also has not given up a HR this season. I was telling Eric yesterday morning that Billz may be trying to prove that his NLCS performance was an aberration. He certainly is making Rob Shandler look good. Shandler projected 17 wins this season, with an Upside of 20 wins and a Cy Young award.

Should Billz continue to perform like this, he will need to control his walks, currently at around 3.10 BB/9. He will also need the Dodgers to find an 8th inning setup man as a bridge to closer Jonathon Broxton. Broxton had to get 5 outs on Thursday night for the second time in less than a week. RIght now, Torre has no confidence in Hong-Chi Kuo as his 8th inning setup man. Last night in Colorado, Kuo came in to protect a 2-run lead in the 8th and promptly served up a 2-run HR to Clint Barmes, but apparently he had "electric" stuff.

Cory Wade is expected to come off the DL early next week. He could fill the void. If not, LA could bring up spring training sensation Josh Lindblom, who was projected to be a future closer when he was drafted.

Who is the best RH starter in the majors?