At 35, Chris Sale turned back the clock, claiming his first Cy Young Award as a member of the Atlanta Braves. After battling years of injuries, including Tommy John surgery in 2020, Sale delivered a season reminiscent of his prime.
Key Stats: Sale led the National League in wins (18), ERA (2.38), and strikeouts (225).
Health and Resilience: The 2024 season was his most active since 2017, as he stayed healthy until the final week.
Team Impact: Sale’s late-season surge helped the Braves clinch a playoff berth, with the team going 12-2 in his final 14 starts.
Historical Context: Sale became the eighth Braves pitcher to win the Cy Young and the first since Tom Glavine in 1998.
Sale’s signature unorthodox delivery and devastating slider were as effective as ever. Batters hit just .171 off his slider, and he allowed only one home run with the pitch all season.
Reflecting on his journey, Sale said:
“It wasn’t just me rolling out there and throwing the baseball. There were a lot of people who got me here. For me to go out there and do what I was able to do, I wouldn’t have done it without them.”
Tarik Skubal: Dominance in Detroit
In the American League, Tarik Skubal secured the Cy Young Award in unanimous fashion, becoming the first Tigers pitcher to win the award since Max Scherzer in 2013. Skubal’s performance was the backbone of Detroit’s surprising playoff run.
Key Stats: Skubal posted an 18-4 record with a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts.
Playoff Push: Detroit went 31-13 in its final 44 games, with Skubal delivering a 1.85 ERA during that stretch.
Team Leader: Skubal’s ERA was the lowest for a qualified Tigers starter since Mark Fidrych in 1976.
The 28-year-old southpaw, known for his five-pitch repertoire, kept hitters off-balance with a fastball averaging 96.8 mph. Opponents managed a paltry .201 batting average and .558 OPS against him.
Skubal credited the Tigers’ young team for their postseason surge, saying:
“The last two months of our season and even the postseason was very special. The memories and the experience will obviously help our club going forward.”
Historic Achievements
This marks only the third time two left-handers won Cy Young Awards in the same year, joining pairs from 1977 and 2002.
Both Sale and Skubal earned the rare pitching Triple Crown, leading their leagues in wins, ERA, and strikeouts — a feat achieved only 25 times in MLB history.
Sale and Skubal join an elite group of pitchers to win both a Triple Crown and a Cy Young Award in the same season.
Other Notable Finishers
Zack Wheeler (Phillies): Second in NL voting, capping another excellent season for Philadelphia’s ace.
Paul Skenes (Pirates): The NL Rookie of the Year placed third, becoming just the fifth rookie to finish top three in Cy Young voting.
Emmanuel Clase (Guardians): The AL closer, with 47 saves and a 0.61 ERA, placed third, the first reliever to finish top three since 2006.
Chris Sale’s triumphant return and Tarik Skubal’s breakout season are testaments to perseverance and excellence. Both pitchers not only showcased individual brilliance but also revitalized their teams, adding another chapter to the storied history of MLB’s greatest pitchers.
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