The 2024 MLB season is drawing to a thrilling close, and the race for the coveted Cy Young Award remains fiercely contested as we skirt into the final stretch. This year, voters will face the daunting task of ranking pitchers from 1st to 5th on their ballots, and several standouts have emerged, making the decision anything but straightforward.
Tarik Skubal's Dominance
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers has made a compelling case for himself, leading the majors in ERA and ERA+ and topping the American League in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate. With a commanding record of 14-4, Skubal's influence on the Tigers cannot be overstated, as the team has struggled to a 44-56 record in games where he hasn't started. Notably, he leads Baseball Reference's version of WAR and FanGraphs' leaderboard, further cementing his status as an elite pitcher this season. Skubal's consistency has seen him set a new career high in innings pitched, although it seems he has taken his last turn on normal rest for this season.
Challenges for Other Contenders
Seth Lugo has been another standout, pitching 166 2/3 innings with a 14-7 record and a 3.02 ERA. His 1.09 WHIP is impressive, but a recent slump—posting a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts—has cast doubt on his Cy Young candidacy. Similarly, Logan Gilbert's 2.96 ERA and league-leading WHIP of 0.88 place him near the top, but the Mariners' dramatic stumble since their ten-game lead in June has not aided his bid.
Veterans and Rising Stars
Corbin Burnes remains in the mix with a 12-5 record and a 3.10 ERA, despite a recent decline in form, posting a 9.00 ERA over his three starts this month. Emmanuel Clase's performance out of the bullpen has also turned heads with 37 saves out of 40 opportunities, boasting a scintillating 0.63 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP.
Veteran pitchers like Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler continue to showcase their prowess. Sale, notwithstanding his limited innings, leads the league in wins, strikeouts, and FanGraphs' WAR. Wheeler's 12-5 record, 2.72 ERA, and 0.98 WHIP attest to his reliability and dominance on the mound.
Under the Radar Performances
Several pitchers have quietly made significant impacts. Logan Webb leads the league in innings pitched with 164 2/3, stabilizing the rotation with a respectable 3.17 ERA and an 11-8 record. Paul Skenes, with a sparkling 2.30 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 98 innings, has been a revelation, accumulating a 4.0 WAR in the process.
Injury Setbacks
Hunter Greene's 9-4 record and 2.83 ERA have been overshadowed by his league-leading hit batsmen and, more crucially, by a recent elbow injury. Meanwhile, Ronel Blanco threw a no-hitter in his first outing and has maintained a 2.89 ERA across 134 innings, posing a strong case for future nominations.
Reynaldo López's impressive season, marked by a 2.06 ERA in 104 2/3 innings, reflects the depth of talent vying for recognition in what has been an extraordinary year of pitching prowess in MLB.
As the season winds down, voters face a daunting task: parsing through a treasure trove of statistical achievements and memorable performances to crown a deserving Cy Young winner. With so many worthy candidates, the decision promises to be as gripping as the season itself, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.