AL Cy Young Race Narrows to Two Contenders Following Skubal Trade

The American League Cy Young race has shifted focus following Tarik Skubal's trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking the first time since 2023 that someone other than Skubal is expected to win the award. Dylan Cease and Cam Schlittler have emerged as the frontrunners for the honor.

As of August 7, Cease leads the AL in pitcher WAR and strikeouts, holding a strong position with a 0.84 ERA over his last six starts. His performance has been consistent, and he is expected to remain in the rotation without interruptions. Schlittler, meanwhile, boasts a 2.26 ERA and ranks high in several pitching categories, making the competition between the two very close.

Other notable candidates include Gray, who has a strong win-loss record but lower rankings in advanced metrics, and Williams, who is gaining momentum with impressive strikeout numbers. The race remains competitive as the season progresses, with several pitchers still in contention for the prestigious award.