The 2024 MLB season is speeding towards its climax, and the competition for the prestigious Cy Young Award is fiercer than ever. With just over five and a half weeks remaining in the season, several pitchers have made compelling cases for why they should take home the hardware.
Top Contenders Emerging
Leading the charge in the American League is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. Skubal has been nothing short of phenomenal, boasting the best ERA and ERA+ in the majors. He also leads the AL in strikeouts, Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and strikeout rate. With a record of 14-4, Skubal has undoubtedly been a bright spot for the Tigers, who have struggled when he isn't on the mound. The team's 44-56 record in games he hasn't started paints a stark contrast to his individual success. Skubal also commands a significant lead in Baseball Reference’s and FanGraphs' WAR leaderboard, showcasing his overall impact on the game.
Another pitcher making headlines is Seth Lugo. Lugo has logged 166 2/3 innings with a 14-7 record, a 3.02 ERA, and a 1.09 WHIP. However, his recent form has raised some concerns. Over his last seven starts, Lugo's ERA has ballooned to 5.24, causing a bit of unease about his consistency as the end of the season nears.
Logan Gilbert of the Mariners is also in the mix, sporting a stellar 2.96 ERA and leading the league with a 0.88 WHIP. He is second only to Lugo in innings pitched. The Mariners, who had a ten-game lead in June, have since stumbled dramatically, but Gilbert's performances have been a steadying presence.
National League Stars
In the National League, Corbin Burnes of the Brewers has compiled a 12-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings. However, Burnes has struggled this month, posting a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts.
Emmanuel Clase has been a reliable closer with 37 saves out of 40 opportunities. His microscopic 0.63 ERA and 0.66 WHIP, along with 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings, make him a standout candidate for the Cy Young, although closers historically have a tougher time securing the award.
Framber Valdez has also been making waves with a 13-5 record, a 3.20 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Chris Sale stands out for leading the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, though he is not among the top ten in innings pitched.
Workhorses and Standout Performers
Logan Webb has proven to be a workhorse, leading the league with 164 2/3 innings pitched. Webb's performance hasn't gone unnoticed, as he holds an 11-8 record with a 3.17 ERA. Similarly, Zack Wheeler of the Phillies has assembled an impressive season with a 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings.
The rookie Paul Skenes has made a significant impact with a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts in 98 innings, complemented by a solid 4.0 WAR. Hunter Greene, despite leading the majors in hit batsmen, has been effective with a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. However, Greene's recent elbow injury adds a layer of uncertainty to his campaign.
Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter in his first outing and has continued to impress with a 9-6 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings. Another noteworthy performance comes from Reynaldo López, who has posted a sterling 2.06 ERA in 104 2/3 innings.
As voters prepare to rank pitchers 1-5 on their ballots, the race for the Cy Young Award remains wide open. Whether it will be a dominant starter like Skubal, a resilient arm like Lugo, or a consistent closer like Clase, this year's decision promises to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.