The regular season is drawing to a close, bringing with it heightened excitement as major award contenders make their final cases. As the playoffs loom, voters must submit their ballots, even though winners will only be revealed after the World Series. Two standout players this season, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, have dominated discussions around the MVP race, each putting forth remarkable performances in their own rights.
Aaron Judge's Stellar Season
Aaron Judge is having a season for the ages, leading the majors in several key statistical categories such as home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. Judge's numbers are off the charts: a batting average of .324, an on-base percentage of .460, and a slugging percentage of .703, translating to an astounding OPS+ of 224. With 57 home runs, 142 RBI, and 120 runs, coupled with a 10.6 WAR, Judge has more than lived up to the lofty expectations set for him.
Add to that his proficiency on the base paths — 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts — and his versatility in playing center field out of necessity, and you have a comprehensive argument for his candidacy as the league's most valuable player.
Shohei Ohtani: A Dual Threat
Not far behind is Shohei Ohtani, whose dual-threat capabilities have continued to capture the imagination of baseball fans and analysts alike. Ohtani has managed to achieve the rare feat of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. His statistics are equally impressive: a .303 batting average, a .386 on-base percentage, and a .642 slugging percentage, resulting in an OPS+ of 187. With 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and an 8.6 WAR, Ohtani's unique contributions make him a formidable candidate.
Pitching Dominance
Alongside the MVP race, the battle for the Cy Young Award is no less thrilling. Tarik Skubal stands as a leading contender with an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts over 192 innings. Skubal leads the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, firmly placing him in the pole position for the award. Reflecting on Skubal's dominance, one observer noted, "Kudos to Emmanuel Clase for an absolutely top-shelf relief season, 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, who holds an 18-3 record with a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings, is another potential candidate. However, Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018 despite consistently strong finishes in previous years. Zack Wheeler has also made his mark this season, boasting a 16-7 record, a 2.56 ERA, and 213 strikeouts over 193 2/3 innings.
Improbable Runs
Turning to team performances, the Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers have both defied preseason expectations. Initially projected to finish around .500 with a win total set at 79, the Guardians have overcome numerous challenges. Despite losing Shane Bieber early in the season and dealing with underperformances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, they find themselves just half a game shy of the best record in the American League. "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League," capturing the improbable nature of their success.
The Milwaukee Brewers have displayed unparalleled dominance in their division, maintaining a lead in the NL Central since April 29. They are on track to finish with the largest division lead of any first-place team. This achievement comes despite significant setbacks: the departures of Craig Counsell to the Chicago Cubs and Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, and season-ending injuries to key players like Brandon Woodruff, Devin Williams, and Christian Yelich. As one insider put it, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season," highlighting the internal resilience that has characterized their campaign.
As award season approaches, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly awaiting the announcements. One author even clarified the speculative nature of award predictions, stating, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." With the competition so tight and so many deserving candidates, the final choices will undoubtedly spark lively debates. While one voter remained cautious, "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."
The closing weeks of the season promise plenty of excitement as baseball's best players and teams look to leave their final marks.