Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal unanimously wins the American League Cy Young Award for the 2024 season, marking a significant milestone in his career. This achievement adds to an impressive list of accolades for the left-handed pitcher, solidifying his status as one of the league’s elite.
On Wednesday, Skubal triumphed over strong contenders Seth Lugo of the Kansas City Royals and Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Guardians, capturing all 30 first-place votes. This unanimous decision places him alongside Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees and Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros as the third consecutive pitcher to receive the honor without any dissent.
Celebrating his 28th birthday on the same day, Skubal had a breakout year that propelled the Tigers into playoff contention. He recorded an impressive 18-4 win-loss record, a 2.39 earned run average (ERA), a 0.922 WHIP, and racked up 228 strikeouts over 192 innings in 31 starts.
Leading the American League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, Skubal achieved the pitching Triple Crown. This feat has not been accomplished in a 162-game season since Verlander and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers achieved it in 2011. Skubal now joins the ranks of only six Tigers players to ever win the prestigious Cy Young Award.
In the postseason, Skubal continued to shine, showcasing his talent in his first two starts. He delivered stellar performances, shutting out the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the wild-card round and pitching seven scoreless innings against the Guardians in Game 2 of the ALDS. However, he faced challenges in the decisive game against the Guardians, allowing five runs.
Despite the ups and downs, Skubal’s 2024 season stands out, especially considering he returned from flexor tendon surgery that sidelined him from mid-2022 to mid-2023. His resilience and performance have made him a key player for the Tigers.
With the Tigers’ unexpected success in 2024, the unanimous Cy Young vote reflects confidence in Skubal’s abilities. As he continues to develop, the team looks forward to having one of baseball’s premier pitchers for the foreseeable future.
