The 2024 MLB season is drawing to a dramatic close, and the race for the prestigious Cy Young award is heating up. As pitchers around the league vie for dominance in their final starts, a few standout names have emerged, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the season’s narrative.
Tarik Skubal: The Leading Contender
Tarik Skubal has been a beacon of consistency for the Detroit Tigers this season. Leading the majors in ERA and ERA+, Skubal has solidified his reputation as an elite pitcher. He also tops the American League in strikeouts, Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and strikeout rate. His performance on the mound has been nothing short of spectacular, boasting a record of 14-4. Despite the Tigers’ overall struggles, with a 44-56 record in games where Skubal doesn’t start, his individual contributions have been a bright spot.
Skubal's dominance is further highlighted by his commanding lead in Baseball Reference's version of WAR and on FanGraphs’ leaderboard. Having recently set a new career high in innings pitched, Skubal's endurance and skill have put him at the forefront of the Cy Young conversation.
Challenges from Other Contenders
However, the competition is stiff. Seth Lugo of the San Diego Padres has pitched 166 2/3 innings with a record of 14-7. Despite a recent slump, posting a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts, Lugo still holds a respectable 3.02 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP.
Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners, with his league-leading WHIP of 0.88 and a 2.96 ERA, is also a strong candidate. He is second only to Lugo in innings pitched and has been a critical player for the Mariners, who held a ten-game lead in June but have faltered since.
Another formidable opponent is Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers. With a 12-5 record, a 3.10 ERA, and 144 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings, Burnes has shown resilience, albeit struggling with a 9.00 ERA in his three starts this month.
Star Reliever and Other Notable Performances
Emmanuel Clase, a standout reliever, has been almost unhittable. With 37 saves in 40 save opportunities, a minuscule 0.63 ERA, and a 0.66 WHIP in 57 1/3 innings, Clase's performance cannot be overlooked, even though relievers rarely win the Cy Young.
Framber Valdez, with a 13-5 record, a 3.20 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings, has also been a reliable arm for the Houston Astros. Meanwhile, Chris Sale dominates several statistical categories, including wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, although his innings pitched do not place him in the top 10.
Logan Webb has demonstrated endurance and skill, leading the league with 164 2/3 innings pitched. His 11-8 record and 3.17 ERA solidify his status as a workhorse for the San Francisco Giants.
Outstanding Young Talents
Young stars have also made their mark. Zack Wheeler continues to dazzle with a 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings. Paul Skenes, with a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts in 98 innings, has already posted an impressive 4.0 WAR, showing promise for future seasons. Hunter Greene, despite being affected by an elbow injury, has a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings, though he leads the majors in hit batsmen.
Then there's Ronel Blanco, who threw a no-hitter in his first outing and has since amassed a 9-6 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings. Reynaldo López's notable 2.06 ERA in 104 2/3 innings further adds to the list of impressive performances this season.
As the season hurtles towards its conclusion, the depth and talent across MLB's pitching landscape promise an exciting finish. With so many pitchers making compelling cases for the Cy Young award, voters are faced with tough decisions as they rank their top five choices. Each contender has their unique strengths and moments of brilliance, making this one of the most fiercely contested Cy Young races in recent memory.