AL Cy Young Race Tight Between Skubal, Crochet

The American League Cy Young Award race in 2025 has tightened considerably, with Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal and Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet emerging as the two frontrunners. Skubal, the reigning Cy Young winner, initially seemed poised to claim back-to-back awards, a feat not accomplished in the AL since Pedro Martínez in 2000, but Crochet's dominant summer performance, including an undefeated June and July and strong August outings, has closed the gap. Statistically, Skubal maintains a slight edge with a lower walk rate and higher WAR, while Crochet leads in innings pitched and has shown exceptional strikeout ability, even flirting with a potential pitching triple crown. Recent performances highlight Crochet's effectiveness in day games and his ability to limit runs, while Skubal has experienced some challenges in August, including a notable game where he allowed six runs, though many were unearned. Both pitchers will need strong finishes as the regular season concludes and their teams head into the playoffs, making the final month critical in deciding the award. The closely matched race has captivated fans and analysts alike, signaling an exciting finish to the pitching competition this season.