Tigers’ Tarik Skubal unanimously wins AL Cy Young Award after dominant season

Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal will forever be linked after winning their first Cy Young Awards on Wednesday. Skubal, a unanimous pick for the American League honour, had a brilliant season with the Detroit Tigers. Sale, on the other hand, capped off an incredible comeback season with the Atlanta Braves in the National League at the age of 35.

Skubal and Sale both led MLB with 18 wins this season and dominated their respective leagues. Skubal, who turned 28 on the same day he won the award, finished with an impressive 2.39 ERA and a league-leading 228 strikeouts in 31 starts. Sale, in his first season in the NL, led the league with 225 strikeouts and had a 2.38 ERA in 29 starts.

Skubal’s journey to the Cy Young Award was a remarkable one. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in college, he was drafted by the Tigers in 2018. He made his big-league debut in 2020 and had a standout season in 2024, going 18-4 and pitching at least six innings in 25 of his 31 starts. Despite a rough post-season outing, Skubal remained proud of his team’s accomplishments and is excited for the future.

Sale, on the other hand, had to overcome numerous injuries in recent years before his comeback season with the Braves. After being traded from the Red Sox to Atlanta last December, Sale had a stellar season with an 18-3 record and 225 strikeouts. His resilience and determination earned him the NL Cy Young Award and the NL Comeback Player of the Year award.

The Cy Young Awards solidified both Skubal and Sale’s places in baseball history. Skubal joins a prestigious group of Tigers pitchers who have won the award, while Sale adds to the Braves’ rich history of Cy Young winners. Their achievements will be remembered for years to come.

In other baseball news, Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki’s posting process will likely extend into the 2025 international signing period, allowing teams more time to sign the highly coveted player. The Pittsburgh Pirates have also made a coaching change, hiring former Blue Jays assistant hitting coach Matt Hague as their new hitting coach.

Overall, the 2024 MLB season was filled with incredible performances and memorable moments, with Skubal and Sale leading the way as Cy Young Award winners. Their success serves as inspiration to young players and fans alike, showcasing the resilience and talent that can make dreams a reality in the world of baseball.