In a prestigious recognition of exceptional talent and performance, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves were named the top pitchers in Major League Baseball for the 2024 season. The announcements were made on Wednesday, with Skubal receiving the American League Cy Young Award in a unanimous decision, while Sale secured the National League Cy Young Award. Skubal triumphed over fellow finalists Seth Lugo of the Kansas City Royals and Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians, while Sale was recognized ahead of Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Skubal's performance throughout the season was nothing short of remarkable. He accomplished the rare feat of winning the AL Triple Crown for pitching, boasting an impressive record of 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts. His 0.92 WHIP, coupled with leading the league in FIP with a mark of 2.50 and an ERA+ of 170, underscored his dominance on the mound. Skubal's arsenal included a fastball reaching triple digits, along with an effective changeup, slider, and knuckle-curve, making him a formidable opponent and key to the Tigers' postseason berth for the first time in a decade.

Chris Sale, in his debut season with the Braves, mirrored Skubal's excellence in the National League. Sale led the NL with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts, also achieving the top FIP at 2.09 and an ERA+ of 174 across 177.2 innings. Despite a back injury that affected his availability towards the end of the season, his contributions solidified his status as one of the league's elite pitchers. The recognition of Sale's performance, especially after transitioning from the American League to the National League, adds further weight to his achievement as he joins the ranks of other baseball legends.

While both Skubal and Sale stood out as the premier candidates for the Cy Young Awards, other notable performances cannot go unrecognized. Emmanuel Clase had a historic season as a reliever for the Guardians, featuring a stunning 0.61 ERA and 47 saves, making him the first reliever to be a Cy Young finalist since Francisco Rodríguez in 2008. Additionally, Seth Lugo's solid production for the Royals, marked by a 3.00 ERA and solid strikeout numbers, reaffirmed the competitive spirit within the American League Central division, showcasing the depth of talent among the finalists. Paul Skenes, after an impressive rookie campaign, contributed significantly to the Pirates' pitching efforts, finishing with a 1.96 ERA and establishing himself as a future franchise cornerstone. Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler continued to prove his worth in the league with a quality season that contributed to the Phillies' success. Ultimately, while many pitchers showcased their skills throughout the season, it was Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale who garnered the prestige of being named the best in their respective leagues.