As the 2024 MLB season winds down, the race for the prestigious Cy Young award is heating up with just over five and a half weeks remaining. The competition is fierce, and voters will be tasked with ranking the top pitchers on their ballots from one to five. This season has seen exceptional performances from several candidates who have made compelling cases for the award.
Leading the Pack: Tarik Skubal
Emerging as a frontrunner, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has dominated in several statistical categories. Skubal not only leads the majors in ERA and ERA+ but also tops the American League in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate. With a stellar record of 14-4, Skubal's performances have been a rare highlight for the Tigers, who have a less impressive 44-56 record in games where he didn't start. His consistency extends to advanced metrics, commanding the top spot in Baseball Reference's and FanGraphs' versions of WAR.
A notable milestone in Skubal's season is setting a new career high in innings pitched, and he has recently taken his last turn on normal rest for the season. Skubal's reliability and dominance have made him a standout candidate for the Cy Young.
Strong Contenders: Seth Lugo and Logan Gilbert
Seth Lugo of the San Diego Padres has also made a strong case with his performance this season, pitching 166 2/3 innings with a record of 14-7. Lugo's 3.02 ERA and 1.09 WHIP highlight his effectiveness, although a recent slump—with a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts—could impact his final standing.
Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners boasts a 2.96 ERA and leads the league with a WHIP of 0.88. Gilbert has also worked hard on the mound, ranking second only to Lugo in innings pitched. However, despite holding a ten-game lead in June, the Mariners have faced a significant decline in performance since then, which could influence Gilbert's candidacy.
Veteran Performers: Corbin Burnes and Emmanuel Clase
Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers continues to exhibit his prowess with a 12-5 record and a 3.10 ERA across 153 2/3 innings, accumulating 144 strikeouts. However, Burnes has struggled this month with a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts, a concerning trend as the season concludes.
Emmanuel Clase, the dominant closer for the Cleveland Guardians, has been nearly untouchable with 37 saves out of 40 opportunities. Clase’s microscopic 0.63 ERA and 0.66 WHIP, alongside 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings, solidify his role as one of the best relievers this year.
Consistency and Struggles: Framber Valdez and Chris Sale
Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros has been a model of consistency with a record of 13-5, a 3.20 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. His steady performance has been invaluable to the Astros' playoff aspirations.
Chris Sale, now leading the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, has shown his elite capability despite not ranking in the top 10 for innings pitched. Sale's resurgence is a bright spot in an otherwise injury-plagued career.
Other Notable Performers: Logan Webb and Zack Wheeler
Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants leads the league in innings pitched with 164 2/3 innings and has posted an 11-8 record with a 3.17 ERA, showcasing his durability and effectiveness on the mound.
Zack Wheeler, representing the Philadelphia Phillies, has put up impressive numbers with a 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, and a 0.98 WHIP. His 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings further underscore his candidacy for the award.
Rising Stars: Paul Skenes and Hunter Greene
Paul Skenes, a rising star, has impressed with a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over 98 innings, generating a 4.0 WAR in the process.
Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds, despite leading the majors in hit batsmen, has a solid 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. Greene’s season, however, is clouded by an elbow injury that might impact his potential to dominate further.
The Unpredictable: Ronel Blanco and Reynaldo López
Ronel Blanco made headlines with a no-hitter in his first outing and has continued to pitch effectively, bringing a 9-6 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings to his resume.
Reynaldo López has quietly put up a remarkable 2.06 ERA in 104 2/3 innings, adding depth to the conversation with his consistent, high-quality performances.
As we approach the final weeks of the season, the Cy Young race remains wide open with a diverse array of talent vying for the accolade. Voters will undoubtedly face a tough decision as they assess the merits of each contender.
