Clayton Kershaw is on his way toward winning a third Cy Young Award

Who looks like the Cy Young Award winners as we take our midseason break?

In the National League, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (11-2 win-loss record, league-leading 1.78 earned-run average) now has a no-hitter to go with his two previous Cy Young Awards, and he has reeled off eight consecutive wins. He’s probably the guy to beat.

The St. Louis Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright is second to Kershaw in ERA (1.83) and is tied for most wins (12) with Cincinnati’s Alfredo Simon. Simon’s teammate, Johnny Cueto, also is in the mix with a 10-6 record, 2.13 ERA and 141 strikeouts, second in the league.

In the AL, the New York Yankees’ Masahiro Tanaka (12-4, 2.51 ERA) was a favorite not only for a Cy Young Award but also for rookie of the year. He also was an All-Star game selection, but the right-hander missed the game after going on the disabled list because of inflammation in his right elbow.

The Detroit Tigers’ Max Scherzer is threatening to win back-to-back Cy Youngs; he’s tied for second in wins in the league (11) and third in strikeouts (146).

Toronto’s Mark Buehrle is in the AL’s top five in ERA (2.64) and wins (10).