MLB Cy Young Contenders: A Case for Paul Skenes and Cristopher Sánchez in the National League, with Skenes appearing as a front-runner, but Sánchez not to be overlooked
In the world of Major League Baseball, the race for the National League Cy Young Award is heating up, with some unexpected twists and turns.
Leading the pack, according to Baseball-Reference's version of Wins Above Replacement (WAR), is Christopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies. Sanchez, with a WAR of 6.2, has been impressing fans and analysts alike with his stellar performances on the mound.
Not far behind, in seventh place, is Freddy Peralta, another pitcher from the Phillies. Peralta, despite ranking 11th in strikeouts, leads the team in wins and has a respectable 6th place ERA.
Meanwhile, Peralta's teammate, Zack Wheeler, has taken a temporary leave from the race. Wheeler, who had been in the running for the Cy Young, has been sidelined due to a blood clot in his shoulder area. No timetable has been set for his return, leaving a significant gap in the race.
Before his injury, Wheeler was leading the league in strikeouts by 20, a testament to his dominance on the mound. His absence has opened up opportunities for other contenders.
One such contender is Matthew Boyd, a pitcher currently at +4500 odds to win the NL Cy Young at Fanduel. Boyd, who plays for an unspecified team, has a 12-6 record and a 2.61 ERA, the fourth best in the National League. He is also fifth in WHIP, seventh in innings, and 10th in strikeouts.
Another contender is Andrew Abbott of the Cincinnati Reds. Abbott, with a 2.28 ERA (second only to Paul Skenes), has a solid 8-3 record and has pitched 130 innings, placing him 22nd in the league. Abbott is also seventh in WHIP.
The main competitor to Paul Skenes for the Cy Young Award, especially after Wheeler's injury, is not specifically named in the search results. However, Skenes, a player for the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been described as the heavy favorite following Wheeler's season-ending injury. No other NL pitchers are listed with odds or contention close to him in the provided information.
Logan Webb, a pitcher with unspecified odds, is also in the mix, though he is currently at +8000.
As the season progresses, the race for the National League Cy Young Award is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with several contenders vying for the coveted prize. The absence of Zack Wheeler, a former frontrunner, has certainly added an exciting twist to the race.
