The regular season is winding down, and as the excitement of the playoffs looms, the race for major awards is heating up. With votes for these prestigious accolades needing to be cast before the postseason begins, the anticipation is palpable. The winners will be crowned only after the final out of the World Series, adding to the suspense.
Aaron Judge: An MVP Season?
Aaron Judge is making an undeniable case for himself as the MVP. Leading the majors in home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR, his stats are nothing short of phenomenal. Judge's numbers—.324/.460/.703 with 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and 10.6 WAR—underscore his dominance. Adding to his impressive resume, Judge has successfully stolen 10 bases in 10 attempts and has played out of position in center field for most of the season.
Shohei Ohtani, however, is providing stiff competition. Ohtani has achieved an extraordinary feat of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. His statistics, .303/.386/.642 with 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and 8.6 WAR, suggest he is more than capable of clinching the MVP award.
Pitching Prowess
On the mound, Tarik Skubal has been nothing short of sensational. With an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings, Skubal leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. "Kudos to Emmanuel Clase for an absolutely top-shelf relief season," one observer notes, "and if Skubal didn't exist this season in the AL, I would have been ready to make the argument for a reliever."
Chris Sale is another name to consider. With an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings, Sale has not received a Cy Young vote since 2018 but has previously finished second, third, fourth (twice), fifth (twice), and sixth in the voting.
Zack Wheeler also deserves a mention with his 16-7 record, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings. While these figures might not lead the league, Wheeler’s contributions have been invaluable to his team.
Surprising Success Stories
The Cleveland Guardians have defied all expectations this season. Projected to finish around .500 with a gambling win total set at 79, the Guardians were pegged for a third-place finish in the AL Central. Yet, they now find themselves only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League, an astonishing turn of events considering the obstacles they faced, including losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underperformances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen.
"And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League," a quote that captures the improbable nature of their success.
Similarly, the Milwaukee Brewers are writing their remarkable narrative. Not having trailed in the NL Central since April 29 and on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team, their resilience is commendable. This is despite parting ways with Craig Counsell last winter when he departed for the Chicago Cubs and losing Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season.
Corbin Burnes' trade to the Orioles in spring training and injuries to key players like Devin Williams and Christian Yelich could have spelled disaster. Still, the Brewers have persevered. "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season," a testament to their internal resilience.
Polls and Predictions
As awards season approaches, anticipation mounts. "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win," an insider cautions, highlighting the speculative nature of the current climate.
"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," another statement that reveals the delicate balance of objectivity and preference.
From Aaron Judge's dominance to the improbable success stories of the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers, the regular season's conclusion promises an exhilarating lead-up to the World Series and the announcement of major awards. The narratives are rich, the performances outstanding, and the excitement tangible, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.