When it comes to Cy Young voting, relief pitchers are usually an afterthought. It’s tough for them to compete with starting pitchers, who throw many more innings and are far more valuable to their teams. There’s a reason only one reliever has won the award in the last 30-plus years (Eric Gagne in 2003).

Just one relief pitcher received Cy Young consideration this year, and it was Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman. He finished seventh in the American League Cy Young voting after receiving four fifth-place votes — his first Cy Young votes since 2012 and the best finish of his career.

Chapman was historically dominant for the Red Sox this season, going 5-3 with a 1.17 ERA, a 1.73 FIP, a 0.70 WHIP and 85 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings. He also went 32 for 34 in save opportunities and hel

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