For quite some time, the AL Cy Young race has been dominated by one leading pick. A pitcher who seemed unbeatable, a dominant force on the mound. But now, there’s a new challenger on the rise, and he’s not backing down. A 25-year-old is throwing down the gauntlet to a 28-year-old, and it’s causing quite a stir in the baseball world. Yes, it’s true that Tarik Skubal had a strong 2024 campaign, leading the charge for the Detroit Tigers. But now, there’s a new threat to his crown, and he’s coming from an unexpected place – the Boston Red Sox.
Skubal had an impressive season in 2024, with a 4.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 176 innings pitched. He was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Tigers. But his success didn’t go unnoticed, and he was widely considered the front-runner for the AL Cy Young award. That is until the Red Sox’s ace, 28-year-old Nathan Eovaldi, stepped up his game.
Eovaldi has been a consistent performer for the Red Sox since joining the team in 2018. But this year, he has taken his game to a whole new level. In 2024, he recorded a 3.52 ERA and 220 strikeouts in 195 innings pitched. These numbers are not only better than Skubal’s, but they also rank among the best in the league. And Eovaldi is not slowing down anytime soon.
What makes Eovaldi’s rise to the top even more impressive is the fact that he was not even considered a contender for the Cy Young award at the beginning of the season. But he has worked hard and proved his doubters wrong. His dedication and determination have paid off, and now he is a serious threat to Skubal’s crown.
But it’s not just Eovaldi’s performance on the field that has caught everyone’s attention. It’s also his attitude and mindset. He is not afraid to challenge the status quo and go after what he wants. Eovaldi has made it clear that he is not content with just being a good pitcher; he wants to be the best. And he is willing to put in the work to make it happen.
The Red Sox’s front office has also taken notice of Eovaldi’s impressive season. In fact, they have even gone as far as giving up on a contract extension for Skubal. This move speaks volumes about the confidence they have in Eovaldi and his ability to lead their pitching staff. It’s a bold move, but it shows that the Red Sox are fully behind their ace and believe he has what it takes to win the Cy Young award.
Skubal may have had a strong season, but Eovaldi’s performance has overshadowed him. And now, the pressure is on Skubal to step up his game and prove that he is still the top contender for the Cy Young award. But with Eovaldi breathing down his neck, it won’t be an easy task.
The race for the AL Cy Young award is heating up, and it’s a battle between two talented and determined pitchers. Skubal may have been the front-runner for a long time, but Eovaldi’s rise to the top has made it a close competition. And as the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how these two pitchers perform under pressure.
In the end, only one of them will be crowned the AL Cy Young winner. But regardless of who takes home the award, one thing is for sure – both Skubal and Eovaldi have shown that they are forces to be reckoned with on the mound. And their rivalry has only added more excitement to an already thrilling baseball season.
So, baseball fans, buckle up and get ready for an intense battle between these two talented pitchers. It’s a race to the finish line, and neither of them is backing down. Who will come out on top? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure – the AL Cy Young race just got a lot more interesting.