The regular season is winding down, and with it comes the inevitable speculation on the major awards. Votes must be cast before the playoffs begin, but we won’t find out the winners until after the World Series concludes. As the anticipation builds, some players stand out for their exceptional performances, making the race for MVPs and Cy Young awards more thrilling than ever.
Aaron Judge: An MVP Front-Runner
Aaron Judge has been a towering presence this season, leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His jaw-dropping statistics — .324/.460/.703 (224 OPS+), with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and 10.6 WAR — place him firmly in the spotlight. Adding to his impressive résumé are 10 stolen bases in as many attempts and his willingness to play out of position in center field for most of the season.
However, the conversation for MVP is complicated by other standout performances, like that of Shohei Ohtani. The dual-threat sensation made history by becoming the first man ever to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. Ohtani's remarkable line of .303/.386/.642 (187 OPS+), with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR, makes him a formidable contender. He leads the NL in multiple categories, making the MVP race tighter than ever.
Pitching Dominance: Cy Young Contenders
On the mound, Tarik Skubal has been a revelation. His 18-4 record, 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings put him at the forefront of the Cy Young conversation. Skubal leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, underscoring his complete dominance this season. Reflecting on his performance, the author notes, "Kudos to Emmanuel Clase for an absolutely top-shelf relief season, and if Skubal didn't exist this season in the AL, I would have been ready to make the argument for a reliever."
Not to be outdone, Chris Sale has also posted stellar numbers: an 18-3 record, 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Despite his impressive stats, Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018, and his track record includes finishing second in Cy Young voting once, along with third, fourth (twice), fifth (twice), and sixth places in past years. Zack Wheeler, with a 16-7 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, also remains a strong contender in this competitive race.
Surprising Team Performances
The Cleveland Guardians have far exceeded expectations this season. Initially projected to finish around .500, the team's gambling win total was set at 79, positioning them in third place in the AL Central. Despite significant setbacks, including losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underperformances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, the Guardians find themselves only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League," the author remarks, capturing the improbable nature of their success.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have faced their own set of challenges. Craig Counsell departed for the Chicago Cubs last winter, and the team lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season. Additionally, trading Corbin Burnes to the Orioles in spring training and losing All-Star closer Devin Williams to an injury created significant hurdles. Christian Yelich's season-ending injury in July further compounded their issues. Yet, remarkably, the Brewers haven’t trailed in the NL Central since April 29 and are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. The author observes, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season," highlighting the internal resilience that has defined their campaign.
Reflections and Predictions
"Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win," the author asserts, emphasizing the speculative nature of awards season. As an actual voter, the author remains cautious: "I'm an actual voter and any prediction might be perceived as a hint as to which way I'm leaning. I will say, though, it's close enough that I do not yet know for sure how I'm voting."
As we await the grand finale of the World Series, the discussions and debates over these standout players and remarkable team performances will surely continue to capture the imagination of fans and analysts alike. With so much talent on display, the eventual winners of the major awards will have truly earned their accolades in a season marked by historic achievements and unexpected triumphs.