The 2024 MLB season is fast approaching its climax, and the race for the Cy Young award remains tightly contested with just over five and a half weeks of play remaining. This year's competition sees voters ranking pitchers 1-5 on their ballots, and the contenders are putting up notable performances at both ends of the spectrum.
Top Contenders
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has emerged as a frontrunner, leading the majors in ERA and ERA+. Skubal's dominance on the mound is reflected in his league-leading statistics in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate in the American League. With a record of 14-4, Skubal has become a beacon of excellence on an otherwise struggling Tigers team that holds a 44-56 record in games where he doesn't start. Remarkably, Skubal has managed to command Baseball Reference's version of WAR and tops FanGraphs' leaderboard as well. This season has been a milestone for him as he has set a new career high in innings pitched.
Running neck and neck with Skubal is Seth Lugo, who has thrown 166 2/3 innings, compiling a 14-7 record with a 3.02 ERA and a commendable 1.09 WHIP. However, Lugo's recent performance over his last seven starts has been less than stellar, posting a 5.24 ERA, potentially throwing a spanner in his Cy Young aspirations.
Logan Gilbert of the Mariners, who boasts a 2.96 ERA and leads the league with a 0.88 WHIP, has also stood out. Gilbert is second only to Lugo in innings pitched, making him a significant player in this race. Despite the Mariners having a ten-game lead in June, a dramatic slump since then has hindered their season's progress.
Another potent candidate is Corbin Burnes, with a solid 12-5 record and a 3.10 ERA, coupled with 144 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings. However, his performance this month, showing a troubling 9.00 ERA in three starts, might affect his standing in the race.
Breakout Performances
Emmanuel Clase has had an exceptional year, racking up 37 saves out of 40 opportunities, boasting a minuscule 0.63 ERA and an impressive 0.66 WHIP, alongside 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. Clearly, Clase has been a linchpin in the bullpen and a critical asset in closing games.
Framber Valdez has racked up a commendable 13-5 record with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, Chris Sale, a perennial ace, boasts league-leading figures in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR. Curiously though, Sale doesn't make it to the top 10 in innings pitched, possibly impacting his Cy Young chances despite his otherwise stellar numbers.
Consistent Forces and Fresh Faces
Logan Webb has been a workhorse this season, leading the league with 164 2/3 innings pitched, showing an 11-8 record with a 3.17 ERA. In a similar vein, Zack Wheeler has compiled an impressive 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings.
Rookie Paul Skenes has made a name for himself with a 7-2 record, a superb 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts in 98 innings, which has earned him a 4.0 WAR. Meanwhile, Hunter Greene, despite leading the majors in hit batsmen, has put up imposing numbers with a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. Greene's elbow injury is a concerning factor, but it hasn't overshadowed his commendable season thus far.
Special Mentions
Ronel Blanco had one of the season's most memorable moments with a no-hitter in his debut outing. Blanco's overall performance includes a 9-6 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings. Reynaldo López has also quietly put together a stellar season with a 2.06 ERA in 104 2/3 innings, demonstrating his reliability out of the bullpen.
As the season reaches its final stretch, the competition for the Cy Young award remains fiercely competitive. With pitchers like Skubal, Lugo, Gilbert, and Clase headlining the field, fans can expect an engaging race till the very end. The remaining weeks of the season will be critical in determining which pitcher will ultimately earn the prestigious title, adding another chapter to what has been a riveting MLB season. The performances thus far provide a captivating storyline for baseball enthusiasts, with each contender striving to etch their names in the annals of baseball history.