The all-star break feels like the perfect time to reexamine the 2024 AL Cy Young race. To our surprise, some of the greatest starting pitchers ever who are still active aren’t among the leaders of the Cy Young race. In fact, many of the pitchers we labeled the best starting pitchers currently heading into the season are nowhere to be found in the Cy Young discussion right now.
Ranking the Top 5 AL Cy Young Candidates
Obviously, there is nearly half a season left to play. Most pitchers will make at least a dozen more starts as they try to separate from the pack and take home the Cy Young. That being said, it’s clear who the leading contenders are, so let’s take a look at the five pitchers leading the 2024 AL Cy Young race.
Tarik Skubal
Even on a losing team, Tarik Skubal managed to win 10 games during the first half of the season, putting him in pole position to win the Cy Young in the American League. Even beyond his 10 wins, Skubal ranks second in the big leagues in both ERA and WHIP, posting a 2.41 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. Those numbers will be hard to sustain for a full season, although they’ve certainly given him a leg up on the competition. The kicker is that Skubal is also within striking distance for the MLB lead in strikeouts. If the Tigers can give him enough run support during the second half, the pitching Triple Crown isn’t out of his reach, which would all but guarantee Skubal wins the Cy Young.
Corbin Burnes
After winning the National League Cy Young in 2021, Corbin Burnes has a chance to become the seventh pitcher to win the award in both leagues this year. Baltimore’s ace and the American League all-star starter has more than lived up to expectations for the Orioles following an offseason trade. He ranks third in the majors in ERA and also has a healthy WHIP and win total. Surprisingly, Burnes has seen his strikeout rate drop from past seasons. That could potentially hurt him in a tight race, although the rest of his numbers and Baltimore’s success this season are making Burnes a serious Cy Young candidate.
Seth Lugo
Just a few years ago, Seth Lugo was pitching out of the bullpen, hoping for a chance to start. Now the 34-year-old is leading Kansas City’s upstart rotation and is in the middle of the Cy Young race. At the all-star break, Lugo has 11 wins and a 2.48 ERA, which ranks fourth in the majors. Despite a few hiccups along the way, including his last start before the all-star break, Lugo has surely been one of the most consistent pitchers in baseball this year. While he’s not dominating in the strikeout category, Lugo is maintaining a good pace. If he can keep winning games, help the Royals compete for a playoff spot, and continue to have one of the best ERAs in baseball, he’ll remain in the Cy Young discussion.
Logan Gilbert
As the ace of the first-place Mariners, it’s natural to see Logan Gilbert among the Cy Young contenders in the AL. His WHIP of 0.87 is the best in baseball while his strikeout total and 2.79 ERA are also up there among the best. Surprisingly, Gilbert has just six wins despite playing for a first-place team. Even if wins aren’t as important as they used to be, that’s still an area where Gilbert can improve in the second half. If he can add to his win total and remain among the top 10 in the other key categories, he’ll be in the mix for Cy Young consideration.
Garrett Crochet
Surely, Garrett Crochet is the most surprising Cy Young candidate in the American League. On a White Sox team that has just 27 wins at the all-star break, Crochet has six wins. More importantly, he leads the big leagues in strikeouts and owns a 0.95 WHIP at the midway point of the season. His 3.02 ERA is also helping to keep him in the race. The caveat is that the 25-year-old never started a game in the big leagues before this season. Whether or not he has the stamina to keep pitching at a high level all season will determine whether he’s still a serious Cy Young candidate at the end of the season.
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