2024 Cy Young Awards crown Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale

For only the third time in baseball history, the Cy Young Awards have been claimed by left-handers in both leagues. In 2024, the honors go to Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Atlanta’s Chris Sale, two pitchers who took dramatically different paths to the summit of their profession.

Skubal: The New Ace in Town

At 28, Tarik Skubal represents the new generation of dominant left-handed pitching. He is the ace of a resurgent Tigers team and now a unanimous Cy Young Award winner. His journey is a testament to perseverance, natural talent, and a relentless drive to improve. Skubal’s path to MLB prominence began quietly. He wasn’t a highly-touted prospect in high school, but he caught scouts’ eyes as a freshman at Seattle University. A devastating Tommy John surgery sidelined him during his sophomore year, casting doubts over his future.

Despite the setback, the Tigers saw enough potential to draft him in the ninth round in 2018. Skubal quickly rewarded their faith. He dominated in the minors, flashing the kind of power pitching that hinted at ace potential. His MLB debut came in the shortened 2020 season, but the road wasn’t smooth. By 2021, Skubal’s strikeouts were plentiful, but so were the home runs - 35 in all, one of the highest totals in baseball.

The turning point came in 2022 when he refined his pitch mix. His slider and changeup began to complement a fastball that had jumped to the upper 90s. Skubal looked poised for a breakout when a flexor tendon injury cut his season short. The injury delayed his 2023 campaign, but when he returned, he was a revelation. By late 2023, he wasn’t just a solid starter but a burgeoning ace, earning AL Pitcher of the Month honors in September.

In 2024, Skubal put it all together. He led the Tigers to a postseason berth while posting an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts. His performance on the mound was a mix of power, precision, and confidence, cementing his status as one of the game’s best.

Sale: The Comeback King

At 35, Chris Sale’s Cy Young season reads like a comeback script. Sale’s career, once defined by dominance, had devolved into years of frustration and injury. Drafted 13th overall in 2010 by the White Sox, Sale burst onto the MLB scene as a flamethrowing reliever. By 2012, he transitioned to the rotation, becoming one of baseball’s most feared pitchers. With his lanky frame and unique arm slot, Sale baffled hitters with a devastating fastball-slider combination. By his mid-20s, he was a perennial All-Star.

But while Sale’s peak was dazzling, it was also tumultuous. The White Sox, stuck in mediocrity, traded him to Boston in 2016 in a blockbuster deal. Sale thrived in Boston, leading the league in strikeouts and helping the Red Sox capture the 2018 World Series. Despite his success, the Cy Young Award remained elusive. He finished in the top six of the voting seven times without winning.

Then came the injuries. A series of setbacks, including Tommy John surgery, sidelined Sale for most of 2020-2022. His once-dominant stuff seemed to wane. By the time the Braves acquired him in 2023, Sale appeared to be in the twilight of his career. But Atlanta’s gamble paid off spectacularly.

In 2024, Sale reclaimed his ace status. When injuries struck Atlanta’s rotation early in the season, Sale stepped up. He finished 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts, securing his first ERA title. His ability to adapt - relying more on guile and precision as his velocity dipped slightly - underscored his evolution as a pitcher.

Two Southpaws, One Glorious Season

Both Skubal and Sale reached remarkable heights in 2024. Their similar statistics - near-identical records, ERAs, and strikeouts - highlight their shared brilliance. Together, they achieved something historic: becoming only the fifth pair in MLB history to win the pitching Triple Crown in their respective leagues in the same year.

For Skubal, the award is likely just the beginning of a promising career. For Sale, it is the culmination of years of perseverance and a well-earned moment in the spotlight. Each took a different road, but both ended up where every pitcher dreams of being: at the top of their game, holding the Cy Young.

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