Cy Young Showdown: Breaking Down the Top Aces in the AL & NL for 2024
The 2024 MLB regular season is almost over, and the competition for the most prestigious honors in the sport is nearing its conclusion. The MVP, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove, and Manager of the Year are hotly fought titles in both the American and National League. Still, the contest for the 2024 Cy Young Award is arguably the most interesting one as we approach September. The fight for the highly desired trophy is getting more intense, and with a number of elite pitchers having breakout seasons or continuing success and putting up incredible numbers, it may come down to the last games of the season. Now, let's take a closer look at the contenders for the Cy Young Award in both the AL and NL.
American League:
1. Tarik Skubal - Detroit Tigers
As we head into the final weeks of August in the American League, Tigers ace Tarik Skubal is without a doubt the overwhelming favorite to win the Cy Young Award. After struggling in his first three big league seasons with an ERA over three from 2020 to 2022, Skubal, 27, has found success at the top of the Tigers rotation during the last two seasons. Skubal has been able to build on his breakout 2023 season by emerging as the front-runner to win the AL Cy Young Award. In 2023, despite being injured to start the season, he posted a career-best 2.80 ERA, seven wins, and 102 strikeouts. This season, Skubal has started 25 games and has a 2.49 ERA, which is the best in the MLB. He has also recorded 14 wins, 0.93 WHIP, 185 strikeouts, and just 13 home runs allowed.
Due to Skubal's outstanding season, a number of teams contacted the Tigers before the trade deadline to inquire about the possibility of dealing their best pitcher. The Tigers, however, chose not to accept the several offers other clubs made. According to DraftKings SportsBook, the 2024 All-Star is the clear favorite. If Skubal can maintain the amazing pitching he has been having this season and avoid a last-minute setback, he should be set to add a Cy Young to his trophy collection.
2. Corbin Burnes - Baltimore Orioles
Following his offseason trade from the Brewers to the Orioles, seven-year starter Corbin Burnes set his sights on bolstering the youthful and promising Orioles pitching staff, which was in need of an experienced arm to round out the rotation. As the team competes in a hotly competitive AL East division with the New York Yankees, Burnes has shown through six months that general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde were correct to have him as the team's dependable ace. The 29-year-old won the Cy Young Award during his Brewers tenure in 2021 when he topped MLB in strikeouts per nine innings at 12.6 and earned an ERA of 2.43. For the Orioles, Burnes, a four-time All-Star, has been outstanding, and he anticipates reaching free agency this offseason. In 25 games started in 2024, Burnes has a 12-5 record, a 3.10 ERA, and 144 strikeouts. Despite his recent struggles in August, Burnes has the potential to overtake Skubal in the race for AL Cy Young if he can rediscover his flow in the final month of the regular season and if Skubal stumbles in the final month.
3. Seth Lugo - Kansas City Royals
If you are looking for a potential dark horse contender for the AL Cy Young Award then Royals pitcher Seth Lugo is a viable option. The 34-year-old journeyman pitcher, who played for the New York Mets for his first seven seasons, signed a two-year contract with a player option with the Royals this winter with the hopes of regaining the early career success that propelled him into a dominant pitching role. The Royals have a real chance to make the playoffs for the first time in nine years going into the final six weeks of the regular season. Lugo, who has seen immediate success in Kansas City, will play a significant role in the Royals accomplishing that goal in 2024. With 26 games started for the Royals, Lugo has a 14-7 record, 143 strikeouts, a 1.09 WHIP, and the eighth-best ERA in the league at 3.02. Lugo may take the lead in the Cy Young race if the Royals manage to make it to the postseason and any of the other top candidates falter in the final weeks.
National League:
1. Chris Sale - Atlanta Braves
Following an inconsistent and injury-plagued 2023 season, 14-year veteran starter Chris Sale wondered if it was time to throw up his cleats after recording his second-worst ERA in his career at 4.30 with the Red Sox. However, Sale made the decision to give it one final go in the hopes of succeeding and having a healthy season in Atlanta after being dealt to the Braves in the offseason and agreeing to a two-year contract. As a member of the Braves rotation that has endured many pitching ailments, including the loss of ace Spencer Strider, the 35-year-old starter has found himself in the midst of an amazing comeback season in 2024. With a 14-3 record, the second-best ERA in the league at 2.62, and an MLB-high 187 strikeouts this season, Sale has become a strong contender for the NL Cy Young Award. If Sale can help lead the Braves back to the playoffs, he might win his first Cy Young Award in his career. The NL Cy Young race seems to be more open for grabs, with other elite pitchers making their case as well.
2. Paul Skenes - Pittsburgh Pirates
Entering the last month of the regular season, Paul Skenes, the rookie phenom, and ace of the Pirates, has taken baseball by storm and is on track to compile a season worthy of a Cy Young trophy. The first overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has had immediate success in starting his MLB career since being called up to the majors on May 11th. Skenes has continuously shown why he was selected first overall in his first season, going 7-2 with a 2.30 ERA, 121 strikeouts, and a 0.97 WHIP. Even though the Pirates are out of the postseason picture, Skenes has given Pirates fans something to smile about throughout yet another disappointing season. He is a strong candidate to win the Cy Young Award, as he looks to overtake Sale over the final month.
3. Hunter Greene - Cincinnati Reds
In 2024, Reds pitcher Hunter Greene has turned around his young career by becoming the top-of-the-rotation pitcher the Reds envisioned him becoming after drafting him in 2017. This comes after Greene's tough first two seasons in the major leagues, where he struggled to find success and posted an ERA over four in both seasons. With his season-long improvement, the 25-year-old fireballer has become a serious contender for the NL Cy Young Award. In 24 games started, Greene has a 9-4 record, a 2.83 ERA, 162 strikeouts, and a 1.02 WHIP. Due to his stellar season, Greene was selected for his first All-Star Game in July. Although the Reds' season has not been great, Greene remains a bright spot. If the team manages to make a late-season run for the Wild Card, and Greene continues to be a key component of their success, the talented arm might make a late push for the Cy Young Award and possibly pass both Sale and Skenes.
