The 2024 MLB season is marching towards its final innings, and the race for the coveted Cy Young award is anything but decided, with fierce competition among pitchers ace-high in every league.
Leading the charge is the Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal, who sits atop the majors in key pitching metrics such as ERA and ERA+. Skubal also dominates the American League in strikeouts, FIP, and strikeout rate, boasting an impressive record of 14-4. Despite the Tigers holding a less-than-stellar 44-56 record in games without him, Skubal's performance on the mound has been nothing short of phenomenal. His dominance is further emphasized by his commanding lead in both Baseball Reference and FanGraphs' WAR leaderboards. With over five and a half weeks of play remaining, Skubal has already set a new career high in innings pitched, albeit with his last outing on normal rest for this season.
On the other side, the ever-reliable Seth Lugo has pitched 166 2/3 innings with a 14-7 record, maintaining a solid 3.02 ERA and a WHIP of 1.09. However, Lugo has faced recent struggles, posting a 5.24 ERA over his last seven starts, which might factor into vote considerations as the season winds down.
Seattle's Logan Gilbert currently sports a 2.96 ERA and leads the league in WHIP at 0.88. Gilbert, second only to Lugo in innings pitched, has seen his Mariners team stumble dramatically since June, despite their significant ten-game lead mid-season. This downturn could overshadow Gilbert's individual brilliance when it comes to Cy Young considerations.
Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers, with a 12-5 record and a 3.10 ERA, ranks among the top contenders. However, his form this month has been shaky, yielding a 9.00 ERA over three starts, a factor likely to weigh on the minds of voters.
Meanwhile, the league's save leader Emmanuel Clase has impressed with 37 out of 40 save opportunities converted, accompanied by a sparkling 0.63 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings—a sterling bullpen campaign from any angle.
Other prominent names in the Cy Young conversation include Houston's Framber Valdez and Boston's Chris Sale. Valdez has accumulated a 13-5 record, a 3.20 ERA, and a 1.14 WHIP over 137 2/3 innings. In contrast, Sale leads the league in wins, strikeouts, FIP, strikeout rate, and FanGraphs' WAR, though he's notably absent from the top 10 in innings pitched, complicating his candidacy.
Logan Webb is another workhorse leading the league with 164 2/3 innings pitched. Webb's 11-8 record and 3.17 ERA highlight his endurance and consistency. Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler, with a 12-5 record, a 2.72 ERA, and a 0.98 WHIP, also commands attention, showcasing 162 strikeouts over 148 2/3 innings.
In Pittsburgh, rookie sensation Paul Skenes has made a significant mark in his debut season, posting a 7-2 record, a 2.30 ERA, and 121 strikeouts over 98 innings. Skenes, who has logged a 4.0 WAR, represents a fresh face in the competitive landscape.
Adding to the intrigue is Cincinnati's Hunter Greene, who, despite dealing with an elbow injury, boasts a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, and 162 strikeouts over 143 1/3 innings. Greene leads the majors in hit batsmen, an unusual feather in his cap.
Also making headlines is Ronel Blanco, who tossed a no-hitter in his first outing and has since tallied a 9-6 record, a 2.89 ERA, and 130 strikeouts over 134 innings. The Cubs' Reynaldo López deserves mention as well, sporting a 2.06 ERA over 104 2/3 innings.
As the season narrows to its final games, each contest adds weight to the Cy Young race, a testament to the fierce level of competition among the league’s top pitchers. The ordered ballots from the voters, ranking their top five choices, will soon shed light on which arm stands above the rest in this thrilling 2024 season.