The 2024 MLB season is drawing to a close, and the race for the coveted Cy Young award is heating up in a manner reminiscent of classic seasons past. With just over five and a half weeks remaining, pitchers across both leagues are delivering standout performances, giving voters a challenging task as they rank the best on their ballots.
Top Contenders in the American League
Leading the pack in the American League is Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers. Skubal has been nothing short of sensational, boasting the majors' leading ERA and ERA+, and also topping the AL charts in strikeouts, Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), and strikeout rate. With a strong 14-4 record, the Tigers have clearly relied on his arm, especially evident given their 44-56 record in games where he does not start. Skubal's dominance extends to his commanding leads in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) on both Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, highlighting his all-around excellence throughout the season. Having set a new career high in innings pitched, Skubal has taken his final turn on normal rest for the year, underscoring his value and endurance.
Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners is another standout in the AL, commanding a league-best WHIP at 0.88 and maintaining a solid 2.96 ERA. Despite leading a ten-game lead in June, the Mariners have experienced a dramatic stumble since then, making Gilbert’s consistency even more crucial.
From the Houston Astros, Framber Valdez brings his own impressive resume with a 13-5 record, a 3.20 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. His steady hand has kept the Astros competitive throughout the season.
Chris Sale, meanwhile, is leading the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, although his limited innings pitched keep him out of the top ten in that category. His peaks highlight why he remains a critical player in the conversation.
National League Standouts
Shifting to the National League, several pitchers demonstrate why they are in contention. Seth Lugo's performance with 166 2/3 innings pitched and a 14-7 record marks him as a workhorse. His 3.02 ERA and 1.09 WHIP commend him, although recent struggles — a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts — could impact his standing.
Logan Webb provides a strong case with a league-leading 164 2/3 innings pitched, an 11-8 record, and a 3.17 ERA. Webb’s durability and skill have made him a pivotal player for his team, even as they navigate a challenging season.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Corbin Burnes also remains a key figure with a 12-5 record, a 3.10 ERA, and 144 strikeouts in 153 2/3 innings. However, a recent rough patch — a 9.00 ERA in his three starts this month — adds a layer of complexity to his contention.
Relievers and Rising Stars
Among the relievers, Emmanuel Clase’s performance stands out with 37 saves out of 40 opportunities, a stunning 0.63 ERA, a 0.66 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. Such stats bolster Clase's candidacy for consideration, especially given the high leverage of his innings.
Rising star Ronel Blanco made headlines with a no-hitter in his debut outing. He has kept up the momentum, posting a 9-6 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Lastly, standout Paul Skenes, with a 7-2 record, a stellar 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts in just 98 innings pitched, presents a formidable case, especially with a 4.0 WAR despite a relatively lower innings total.
As the final weeks of the season unfold, the competition remains fierce, with each start and relief outing critical. The Cy Young vote promises to be one of the most compelling in recent memory, reflecting a season rich with extraordinary pitching performances across the league.