The stakes are rising in Major League Baseball as we roll into the final two months of the regular season. Fans and analysts are glued to the action, watching players chase postseason glory and personal milestones.
MVP frontrunners, Cy Young hopefuls, and Rookie of the Year contenders are making headlines in both leagues. Each name seems hungry to carve out a place in baseball history. Let’s break down the key races in the American League (AL) and National League (NL), and check out the standout performances as awards season heats up.
The American League: Historic Seasons in the Making
The American League has delivered some wild performances in 2023. Some fans are already wondering if they’re witnessing the kind of milestones that will last a lifetime.
Stars like Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh have grabbed the spotlight. Breakout pitchers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet have been making noise in the Cy Young conversation. The AL’s races have been a spectacle, honestly.
Aaron Judge Is Defining the AL MVP Race
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is on pace for a mind-blowing 12.3 WAR season. He looks like the clear favorite for the AL MVP award right now.
Judge’s bat and his knack for stepping up in big moments give him a serious edge. He’s putting himself in some pretty rare company.
Meanwhile, Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is making waves with his power. He might become the first catcher in MLB history to hit 50 home runs, which is wild to think about.
Raleigh deserves a nod in the MVP talk, but Judge’s all-around game is just on another level.
The AL Cy Young Race: Tarik Skubal vs. Garrett Crochet
On the pitching side, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal has set the standard for elite pitching in 2023. He leads the league in strikeout and walk rates, WHIP, and ERA.
That puts him at the front of the AL Cy Young race. But Boston’s Garrett Crochet is making things interesting.
Crochet leads all of MLB in strikeouts and matches Skubal’s ERA. It’s shaping up to be a two-man showdown as the season winds down.
The Oakland Athletics have turned into a rookie showcase in 2023. Shortstop Jacob Wilson is leading the charge, becoming the first rookie shortstop to start in the All-Star Game.
He’s the frontrunner for AL Rookie of the Year. His teammate Nick Kurtz has impressed too, so there’s a real chance the award could stay in Oakland.
The National League: Superstar Performances Take Center Stage
The National League races have been just as dramatic. Shohei Ohtani keeps amazing everyone, and the battles for Cy Young and Rookie of the Year are tight.
The NL MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year races are a showcase of both rising stars and established legends. It’s a deep field, for sure.
Shohei Ohtani’s Dual Dominance Secures MVP Lead
Shohei Ohtani, now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, leads the MVP conversation. His name is basically shorthand for greatness at this point.
He crushes at the plate and dominates on the mound. Since returning from surgery, he’s put up league-best numbers in home runs, runs scored, and OPS, plus strong pitching stats. No one else in the NL MVP race really compares right now.
Still, Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and Mets superstar Juan Soto are keeping things interesting. Soto’s steady offense puts him in the mix, and Crow-Armstrong’s breakout year hints at a bright future.
The NL Cy Young Race: Wheeler vs. Skenes
The National League Cy Young race feels razor-thin this year. Phillies ace Zack Wheeler sits at the top, thanks mostly to his sharp WHIP and strikeout numbers.
He’s brought the kind of steady dominance you’d expect from a veteran. But Pirates rookie Paul Skenes? He’s making things interesting with a league-best ERA.
Is it really possible for a rookie to snag one of baseball’s biggest pitching awards? Guess we’ll see soon enough.
Rookies are really shaking things up in the NL this season. Braves catcher Drake Baldwin and Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski have jumped to the front of the Rookie of the Year talk.
Baldwin’s been a force behind the plate. Misiorowski’s pitching has put him right in the middle of the spotlight.
It’s shaping up to be a wild showdown between these first-year players. The way these new faces are making noise—honestly, it’s hard not to get a little excited about the future of the league.
Here is the source article for this story: Who is leading MLB’s MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year races?
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