Tarik Skubal. Garrett Crochet. Without a doubt, the two best pitchers in the American League are throwing punch for punch, trying to win the American League Cy Young Award. For Skubal, he is trying to make history and become the first AL pitcher since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000 to win back-to-back AL Cy Youngs. Crochet is trying to put a wrench in that and capture his first AL Cy Young Award in his third full season as an MLB starting pitcher. Both will have to be at their absolute best down the stretch of the season, as we are in for one heck of a finish.
AL Cy Young Race Heating Up
Tarik Skubal
Skubal is 11-3 on the season, with a 2.18 ERA, 181 strikeouts, and a 0.832 WHIP in 140 1/3 innings pitched. His 11 wins are tied for fourth in MLB, his 2.18 ERA is the best in the American League, his WHIP is also the best in baseball, and he’s second in the American League in strikeouts.
In addition to all these incredible stats, Skubal also has six starts this season of at least six innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Only he and Zack Wheeler have accomplished that feat six times this season.
Last 3 road starts for the @tigers‘ Tarik Skubal:
10 strikeouts, 0 walks (at Cle)
11 strikeouts, 0 walks (at Tex)
10 strikeouts, 0 walks (at Phi)Only one other MLB pitcher in the modern era has had 10+ strikeouts & no walks in 3 consecutive road starts: Clayton Kershaw (2016). pic.twitter.com/1T56XHEsYu
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 3, 2025
For a Tigers team that’s had their ups and downs throughout the season, there’s been one constant, and that’s Tarik Skubal dominating every single time. While his last few starts have been shaky from an ERA standpoint, Skubal is still striking out batters at a crazy rate while not issuing any free passes.
Skubal’s 9.53% strikeout-to-walk ratio is the best for a starter in baseball by nearly three percent. Not only does he do a great job of attacking the zone, but he also has a wicked changeup that is one of the best pitches in all of baseball. That is his “strikeout pitch” and has allowed him to be dominant over the last two seasons.
Garrett Crochet
The Chicago White Sox dealt Crochet to the Boston Red Sox for a massive prospect haul last offseason, headlined by young phenom catcher Kyle Teel. There were question marks about his health, considering the White Sox were strict on managing his innings during July, August, and September. This season, Crochet has eliminated any questions and has continued to be as dominant as ever.
On the year, Crochet is 13-4 with a 2.24 ERA, 183 strikeouts, and 1.072 WHIP in 148 1/3 innings pitched. His 13 wins are tied for the most in baseball, while also throwing the most innings this season. The 183 strikeouts are also the most in baseball, with the 1.072 WHIP tied for 13th in MLB.
Garrett Crochet is making a serious push for the A.L. pitching triple crown
pic.twitter.com/XrmNKM8D3N
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) August 6, 2025
Crochet has only had two starts this season without issuing a walk, but he has also had five starts of 10 or more strikeouts. His month of July was stellar, posting a 1.73 ERA in four starts while striking out 31 and walking six. He opened August with an impressive seven-inning outing against the Kansas City Royals, allowing just two runs while striking out eight. With the win in his last start, he has now earned a win in six straight starts.
These months are where fans should keep a careful eye on Crochet, given that he hasn’t thrown this many innings ever in a season. Last year, he threw 146 innings, and he has already surpassed that this season, with still over a month left before the calendar turns to the postseason. With the Red Sox vying for a potential Wild Card spot, it will be hard to limit Crochet’s usage, but it’ll be interesting to see how he holds up.
The Last Word
This is going to be an epic battle to the end. With no room left for error, both pitchers will have to be dominant down the final stretch of the season. These two are certainly making it difficult for voters to pick a winner, but you really can’t go wrong with either candidate. At this point, all that we can do as fans is just enjoy two pitchers putting on clinics every time they step foot on the mound. While Skubal remains the favorite for the award, it wouldn’t be shocking at all if Crochet walks away with his first AL Cy Young when it is all said and done.
Main Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
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