Aaron Judge's Stellar Season Places Him at the Forefront of MVP Race
As the regular baseball season winds down, all eyes are on the major awards that will soon be decided. With voting for these awards closing before the playoffs begin, the anticipation is palpable. Winners won't be announced until after the World Series, but the statistical performances this season have given fans and analysts plenty to discuss.
Aaron Judge has undoubtedly emerged as a standout. Leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR, Judge's season has been nothing short of remarkable. His statistics—.324/.460/.703 with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and 10.6 WAR—speak volumes. Notably, he has also stolen 10 bases in 10 attempts and played out of position in center field for much of the season.
On the other side of the American League, Shohei Ohtani has made his own powerful case for MVP. Achieving a rare feat of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season, Ohtani has posted a .303/.386/.642 line with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR. His performance is another highlight in a career that's already transformed how we see modern baseball.
Cy Young Race Heating Up
The race for the Cy Young Award is equally competitive. Tarik Skubal, who boasts an 18-4 record, leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts with stats of 2.39 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings. "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," one observer noted, emphasizing Skubal's dominance this season.
Chris Sale, a perennial contender who hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018, is making a strong push with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings. Sale has finished in the top six of Cy Young voting multiple times, and his current form suggests he may yet again be in the mix.
Zack Wheeler also deserves recognition with a 16-7 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, presenting another compelling case in a crowded field.
Cleveland Guardians: Defying the Odds
Perhaps one of the more surprising stories of the season is the success of the Cleveland Guardians. Initially projected to finish around .500 and given a gambling win total of 79, the Guardians were positioned in third place in the AL Central. They seemed destined for mediocrity, especially after losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and seeing underperformance from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen.
Yet, against all odds, the Guardians are 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," noted one commentator, capturing the improbable nature of their success.
Milwaukee Brewers: Leaders Despite Adversity
In the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have been dominant, not trailing in the NL Central since April 29. They are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. However, their season has not been without challenges. Craig Counsell departed for the Chicago Cubs last winter, and they lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season. Corbin Burnes was traded to the Orioles in spring training, and Devin Williams and Christian Yelich both suffered season-ending injuries.
The Brewers' resilience is evident. "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season," highlighting the internal strength that has allowed the Brewers to navigate such setbacks and still emerge as division leaders.
Final Thoughts on Awards Season
As the season draws to a close, the debate over who deserves the major awards will only intensify. "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win," cautioned one voter, emphasizing the speculative nature of awards season. Another echoed this sentiment, "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." This underscores the difficulty in making definitive choices amidst such outstanding performances.
With the playoffs on the horizon and the awards to follow, baseball fans have much to look forward to as this unforgettable season reaches its climax.