Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves’ standout lefty, has officially been named a finalist for the 2024 National League Cy Young Award, and it’s safe to say he’s not just “in the running”—he’s a frontrunner.
After a season where he nabbed the National League Triple Crown for pitchers (leading in wins, ERA, and strikeouts), Sale is all but a lock for the honor, which would mark the pinnacle of an extraordinary comeback season for the veteran starter.
Sale’s path to this potential Cy Young win has been anything but straightforward. Between 2012 and 2018, he was a regular in Cy Young conversations, even coming close with two finalist finishes in 2014 and 2017. However, the ultimate award has always eluded him, and he’s never garnered more than two first-place votes in any season.
But this year, the story looks poised to change, with the winners to be officially announced on November 20. Historically speaking, every pitcher who has won the Triple Crown has gone on to claim the Cy Young Award—a trend that bodes well for Sale as he eyes his first Cy.
The stats make a compelling case. Sale wrapped up the season with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, and a hefty 225 strikeouts. His other key metrics are just as impressive: a 2.09 FIP, 0.5 home runs allowed per nine innings, 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings, a 1.01 WHIP, and an eye-popping 174 ERA+. In recognition of his dominance, he’s already earned accolades like the Outstanding Pitcher of the Year at the Players Choice Awards. This Cy Young would be the crowning jewel of an award-filled season, again confirming his place among baseball’s elite.
But what makes this season remarkable is the comeback element. For five years, Sale struggled with injuries and inconsistencies that kept him off the mound more often than not. Many speculated that his best years were behind him. When the Braves acquired him last December, the move was met with skepticism.
After all, it had been years since Sale had shown his dominant form. However, Sale silenced his critics with a performance that harked back to his prime years with the White Sox and Red Sox. Though an injury sidelined him late in the season, he had already put up numbers that solidified his case for the Cy Young.
If Chris Sale takes home the award, it won’t just be a career milestone; it will represent the ultimate comeback story—a player written off by many, reclaiming his place as one of the most dominant pitchers in the game. Braves fans will have to wait a little longer for the official word, but the stats and history suggest Sale’s first Cy Young is well within reach.
