Intense Battle for Cy Young Award as 2024 MLB Season Winds Down
As the 2024 MLB season approaches its final stretch, the race for the prestigious Cy Young award remains as competitive as ever. With just over five and a half weeks of play remaining, pitchers across the league are putting forth their strongest performances in hopes of securing this esteemed accolade. Voters are set to rank pitchers from first to fifth on their ballots, and the contenders have made it challenging to predict a clear winner.
At the forefront of the discussion is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. Skubal has been nothing short of phenomenal this season, leading the majors in ERA and ERA+ while also topping the American League in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate. Sporting a 14-4 record, Skubal's personal statistics starkly contrast with the Tigers' overall performance, as they hold a subpar 44-56 record in games where he doesn't start. Skubal's dominance is further highlighted by his commanding lead in Baseball Reference’s version of WAR and FanGraphs' leaderboard. Notably, he has also set a new career high in innings pitched this year, signaling both stamina and consistency.
Seth Lugo of the San Diego Padres is another name often mentioned in Cy Young contention. Lugo has pitched 166 2/3 innings with a respectable 14-7 record. His 3.02 ERA and 1.09 WHIP reflect a solid season, though a recent downturn has seen him post a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts. This late-season slump may affect his standing in the minds of voters.
The Seattle Mariners' Logan Gilbert has also caught the attention of many with his impressive 2.96 ERA and league-leading 0.88 WHIP. Gilbert is second only to Lugo in innings pitched and has been a bright spot in an otherwise tumultuous second half for the Mariners, who have struggled since maintaining a ten-game lead in June.
Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers, with a 12-5 record and a 3.10 ERA, has also faced challenges recently, posting a 9.00 ERA in his three starts this month. Such inconsistencies may hamper his Cy Young prospects, despite his solid season numbers.
On the reliever front, Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians has been almost untouchable, converting 37 saves out of 40 opportunities with a staggering 0.63 ERA and 0.66 WHIP. His 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings underscore his effectiveness, making him one of the most dominant closers in the league.
Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros is another strong candidate, carrying a 13-5 record with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. Valdez's season highlights his reliability and consistency, traits highly valued in Cy Young consideration.
Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox continues to dominate in several key metrics, leading the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs’ WAR. However, his lack of innings pitched compared to other contenders may play a significant role in the final voting. Sale’s ability to deliver game-changing performances, despite limited innings, keeps him in the conversation.
Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants leads the league with 164 2/3 innings pitched, pairing that workload with an 11-8 record and a 3.17 ERA. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler showcases a splendid 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings, making him a potential dark horse in this race.
Other notable mentions include Paul Skenes and Hunter Greene. Skenes has made a strong case with a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts in 98 innings, along with a 4.0 WAR. Greene, although battling an elbow injury, has impressed with a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. He notably leads the majors in hit batsmen, perhaps signaling his aggressive pitching style.
In a season full of memorable performances, Ronel Blanco's no-hitter in his first outing stands out. Blanco currently holds a 9-6 record with a 2.89 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings. Reynaldo López’s impressive 2.06 ERA over 104 2/3 innings further adds to the depth of talent in pitching across the league this year.
As the season draws closer to its end, the battle for the Cy Young award promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The remarkable performances and sheer talent on display make this one of the most thrilling Cy Young races in recent memory. With each start and relief appearance holding significant weight, the next few weeks will be pivotal in determining who takes home the coveted award.