Chris Sale, Tarik Skubal named finalists for Cy Young

Leading one's league in wins, ERA and strikeouts is generally a good way to win a Cy Young Award.

Sure enough, the Triple Crown winners in the National League and American League -- Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale and Detroit Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, respectively -- were named finalists on Monday.

Sale, 35, took the NL Triple Crown with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts. Earning his first career Gold Glove in 2024, he helped lead the Braves to an 89-73 record and a postseason appearance.

Skubal, 27, grabbed the AL Triple Crown with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts while propelling the Tigers to their first playoff appearances since 2014.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes and Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler are the other NL finalists.

Skenes, 22, had a sensational first season, going 11-3 over 23 starts with a 1.96 ERA, a mark that would have led the majors by a healthy margin had he pitched enough innings.

Wheeler had his most successful season as a pro at the age of 34. Posting career bests in ERA (2.57), and wins (16), Wheeler struck out 224 while earning an All-Star nod for the NL East winners.

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase and the Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo are the other AL finalists.

Clase, a 26-year-old right-hander, led the majors in saves (47) for the third straight season. That mark was the best of his five-year career, as was his 0.61 ERA over 74 appearances covering 74 1/3 innings.

Lugo, 34, went 16-9 with a 3.00 ERA for the playoff-participating Royals. He tied for the league lead with 33 starts while finishing second in the majors with 206 2/3 innings pitched.

The Cy Young Awards winners will be revealed on Nov. 20.

--Field Level Media