Breaking Down the National League Cy Young Race
With just over 40 games left in the Major League Baseball season, the races for the end-of-the-season awards are getting tighter and tighter with different players either heating up or cooling down at the right moment. The National League Cy Young race has been one of the more interesting races to watch for the end-of-the-season award, as the race looked like it was going to be taken by Ranger Suarez or possibly rookie phenomenon Shota Imanaga at the beginning of the year, but after the fall offs and injury setbacks, the race has been led by numerous pitchers throughout the season. These are the players with the greatest potential to take home the award.
Chris Sale
For a guy to be doing what Chris Sale is doing in his 14th season as a Major League Baseball pitcher is amazing to see. After spending 13 years in the American League, Sale was brought over to the Atlanta Braves in a trade, and he has been a dominant force for them as the current favorite to take home the award. Sale currently holds a 13-3 record in 22 starts with a 2.61 ERA. He has 177 strikeouts through 134.2 innings pitched and with Spencer Strider going down, has led the Braves pitching staff and filled that void.
Zack Wheeler
The Philadelphia Phillies were the hottest team in baseball heading into the all-star break but have since cooled down. Partial credit for their success is due to the stellar performance of Zack Wheeler so far this season. Wheeler for the most part has had success this season with an 11-5 record with a 2.78 ERA through 23 starts. Wheeler has led this Phillies pitching staff through some rocky endeavors after the all-star break and hopes to get them back on the path to a possible chase at the National League Pennant
Paul Skenes
The only time a rookie pitcher won this award was in 1981 when Fernando Venezuela of the Los Angeles Dodgers took home the award. While Paul Skenes has had a recent fall-off, you could still make a case for him to win the award. He has turned heads around the league with the constant velocity and wicked movement on his off-speed pitches. Skenes has had a 6-2 record through 15 starts and possesses a 2.25 ERA. Skenes might not take home the award this year, but with his stellar start to his rookie year and Major League Baseball career, has a chance to be a very special pitcher of this generation.
Hunter Greene
The Cincinnati Reds have young talent all around the diamond, and in their rotation too. Hunter Greene in just his third year continues to make strides. Not having the greatest start to the season, Greene has really turned it around as in his last five starts, has let up just four earned runs through 33 innings pitched, and has racked up 36 strikeouts through those five starts. On the year, he has a 9-4 record with a 2.83 ERA through 24 games started. Greene hopes to help his case for Cy Young, but also help the Reds to make a possible late season push into the postseason
Dylan Cease
The Padres have been one of, if not the hottest teams coming out of the all-star break. They have won 19 of their past 22 ball games, and credit is due to both their lineup with power and contact hitters staggered throughout, as well as their rotation. Their clear ace is Dylan Cease, who threw one of three no-hitters in the 2024 Major League Baseball season. Cease was acquired this offseason from the White Sox and has made his presence known. Cease’s year overall has been a little bumpy, with an 11-9 record and a 3.41 ERA, but since the all-star break has been a dominant pitcher for them. While Cease might not have the best shot to win the award, Cease can still make his case in his last seven starts and hopes to continue to help the Padres as they try to run away with the National League Wild Card.
