The race for the coveted Cy Young award heats up as the 2024 MLB season approaches its final stretch, leaving fans and analysts alike eagerly speculating who will come out on top. With just over five and a half weeks remaining, the competition among pitchers remains as intense as ever. Voters this year are tasked with ranking their top five choices, which promises to add an extra layer of intrigue.
Leading the Pack
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has emerged as a formidable candidate. Skubal leads the majors in ERA and ERA+ while also topping the American League in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate. His record stands at an impressive 14-4, starkly contrasting with the Tigers' 44-56 record in games where he didn't take the mound. Skubal's dominance is further highlighted by his commanding lead in Baseball Reference's version of WAR and FanGraphs' leaderboard. This season, he has also set a new career high in innings pitched, although he has now taken his last turn on normal rest.
Challengers on the Horizon
While Skubal's achievements are noteworthy, he isn't the only pitcher making headlines. Seth Lugo has pitched 166 2/3 innings, maintaining a 14-7 record with a solid 3.02 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. However, his performance has dipped recently, with a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts. Logan Gilbert is another key player in the conversation, boasting a 2.96 ERA and leading the league in WHIP at 0.88. Gilbert trails only Lugo in innings pitched this season. Despite the Mariners' dramatic stumble after leading by ten games in June, Gilbert's individual performance remains stellar.
Consistent Performers
Corbin Burnes has also been a consistent force on the mound, recording a 12-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 153 2/3 innings. Nevertheless, his recent performances have been shaky, reflected in a stark 9.00 ERA in his three starts this month. On the other hand, Emmanuel Clase has been a stalwart in the bullpen, converting 37 of 40 save opportunities, accompanied by a minuscule 0.63 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. He has also racked up 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings.
Veteran Presence
Framber Valdez offers another noteworthy case for Cy Young consideration. His 13-5 record, 3.20 ERA, and 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings demonstrate the veteran’s continued reliability. Chris Sale, who leads the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, is uncharacteristically missing from the top 10 in innings pitched, making for an interesting discussion point regarding his impact relative to others.
Workhorses on the Mound
Logan Webb, leading the league with 164 2/3 innings pitched, is another intriguing name in the mix. Webb holds an 11-8 record with a 3.17 ERA. Zack Wheeler’s performance also deserves commendation, boasting a 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, and a 0.98 WHIP, alongside 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings. Though not as headline-grabbing, Wheeler's statistics underscore his exceptional consistency and dominance this season.
Rising Stars
Among rising stars, Paul Skenes has posted a 7-2 record with a 2.30 ERA and 121 strikeouts in just 98 innings, contributing a strong 4.0 WAR. Meanwhile, Hunter Greene showcases a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and has matched Wheeler with 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings, despite leading the majors in hit batsmen and currently dealing with an elbow injury.
Remarkable Feats
Another narrative highlight belongs to Ronel Blanco, who threw a no-hitter in his debut outing and has since achieved a 9-6 record with a 2.89 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings. Reynaldo López also deserves mention for his exceptional relief work, maintaining a 2.06 ERA over 104 2/3 innings, underscoring the depth of pitching talent vying for recognition.
As the season barrels to its conclusion, discerning voters have a challenging task ahead in ranking these standout performers. Each pitcher brings unique strengths and compelling narratives, making this one of the most dynamic Cy Young races in recent memory.