As the 2024 MLB season charges towards its climax, the race for the Cy Young award is heating up in a manner that can only be described as thrilling. With just over five and a half weeks remaining, fans, analysts, and players alike are watching closely to see which pitchers will finish the season on top.
One name that has firmly etched itself into the conversation is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. Leading the majors with an outstanding ERA and ERA+, Skubal has been a beacon of consistency and dominance. He tops the American League in strikeouts, FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), and strikeout rate. With a record of 14-4, Skubal has clearly been a difference-maker for the Tigers, who have a 44-56 record in games where he isn't on the mound.
Remarkably, Skubal also finds himself leading in Baseball Reference's version of WAR (Wins Above Replacement) and sitting atop FanGraphs' leaderboard. As an indication of his durability and workload, Skubal has set a new career high in innings pitched this season and has taken his last turn on normal rest. His commanding presence on the mound has placed him as a frontrunner in the Cy Young race.
However, Skubal is not without competition. Seth Lugo has had a standout season, pitching 166 2/3 innings with a record of 14-7. Lugo's ERA stands at a solid 3.02, accompanied by a 1.09 WHIP. Yet, a recent dip in form, with a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts, could affect his standing as voters rank pitchers 1-5 on their ballots this year.
Another notable contender is Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners. Gilbert boasts a 2.96 ERA and leads the league in WHIP at an impressive 0.88. He trails only Lugo in innings pitched. The Mariners, who once enjoyed a ten-game lead in June, have since stumbled dramatically, but Gilbert's individual performance remains a bright spot.
Corbin Burnes, who sports a 12-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings, has also struggled this month, posting a 9.00 ERA in his last three starts. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Clase has been a stalwart in the bullpen, converting 37 out of 40 save opportunities with a minuscule 0.63 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP, along with 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. Clase's dominance in relief might not put him in direct contention for the Cy Young, but his contributions cannot be overlooked.
Houston's Framber Valdez adds another intriguing storyline with a 13-5 record, a 3.20 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. Complementing this is Chris Sale's remarkable year where he leads the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, although he isn't in the top 10 for innings pitched.
On the forefront of innings pitched, Logan Webb leads the league, accumulating 164 2/3 innings. Webb has an 11-8 record with a 3.17 ERA, showcasing his capacity to grind through games efficiently. Zack Wheeler also figures prominently with a 12-5 record, a standout 2.72 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 162 strikeouts in 148 2/3 innings.
Rising star Paul Skenes has made the most of his opportunities, compiling a 7-2 record with a 2.30 ERA and 121 strikeouts in just 98 innings, translating to a 4.0 WAR. Hunter Greene, despite leading the majors in hit batsmen and currently being affected by an elbow injury, holds an impressive 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings.
The story of Ronel Blanco stands out for its unique charm as well. Blanco threw a no-hitter in his first outing and has since maintained a 9-6 record with a 2.89 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings. Lastly, Reynaldo López boasts a 2.06 ERA in 104 2/3 innings, further highlighting the wealth of pitching talent on display this season.
As the curtain begins to draw on the regular season, the electrifying battle for the Cy Young award continues to embellish an already captivating MLB landscape. Pitchers across the league are putting up performances that will be remembered for years to come, making this one of the most exciting Cy Young races in recent memory.