MLB: Who are the Cy Young Award’s American and National League finalists?

Since 1956, the Cy Young Award has recognized the best pitchers in the Major Leagues during the season. This year, some big names are among the finalists from the American and National Leagues for the award. Here are the contenders that made it to the finals.

The American League finalists for the Cy Young Award

Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees

The starting pitcher for the Yankees is the frontrunner to win the Cy Young Award for the first time in his career. He was born in Newport Beach, California, and managed to record two shutouts this season, with his most recent one coming in the season’s final game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Cole ended the season with the lowest ERA in the MLB at 2.63 after allowing 61 runs in 209 innings pitched and striking out 222 batters.

Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays

The two-time All-Star pitcher, Gausman, led the Major Leagues in strikeouts with 237. He had a 3.16 ERA and 12 wins in 31 starts after allowing 65 runs in 185 innings pitched.

Sonny Gray, Minnesota Twins

The veteran pitcher for the Minnesota Twins had an exceptional ability to prevent home runs, walks, and balls while still managing to strike out plenty of batters. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was an impressive 2.83. At 34 years old, he received only 57 earned runs in 184 innings, resulting in an ERA of 2.79. Interestingly, opposing hitters could hit just eight home runs against him.

The National League finalists for the Cy Young Award

Blake Snell, San Diego Padres

Snell is in pursuit of his second Cy Young. He previously won the prestigious award in 2018 as a player for the Tampa Bay Rays. As a starter for the San Diego Padres, he led the Major Leagues in ERA, finishing with an impressive 2.25. The left-handed pitcher recorded 14 wins and 9 losses after 32 starts.

Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants

During the 2023 Major League season, Webb pitched the most innings with 216 as a right-handed pitcher. He also struck out 194 of the 850 batters he faced and allowed only 78 earned runs, resulting in an ERA of 3.25. However, despite his impressive record, one setback that might affect his candidacy for the award is that he had more losses (13) than wins (11).

Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks

The pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks achieved the second-highest number of wins in the National League, winning 17 out of the 34 games he started. His ERA was 3.47 after conceding 81 runs in 210 innings, and he also managed to strike out 220 of the 846 batters he faced. His exceptional performance included a shutout against the Chicago Cubs on September 8th, and he was invited to participate in the All-Star Game for the first time.