Chris Sale, Tarik Skubal earn first career Cy Young Awards

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Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale, both of whom won the pitching Triple Crown (wins, ERA, strikeouts) in their respective leagues, were named the American League and National League Cy Young Award winners Wednesday. 

It was the first time each of them won the award.

Skubal pitched to a 2.39 ERA, and his 228 strikeouts and 18 wins (tied with Sale) were tops in all of baseball. He received all 30 first-place votes in the American League, winning the award unanimously on his 28th birthday. Seth Lugo of the Royals finished second, while Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase, who had a 0.61 ERA, finished in third.

It was not that long ago Skubal was a middling arm. In 2021, he had a 4.34 ERA in 31 appearances. 

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Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal (IMAGN)

Last season, in 15 starts, he showed his potential with a 2.80 ERA. This year, though, he put it all together to become the ace of a squad that rallied late to clinch a postseason berth.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal gestures after a double play ends the sixth inning during Game 2 of an AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians Oct. 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

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For Sale, it was a resurgent year after he had made just 31 starts from 2020 to 2023 after several years of dominance. The 35-year-old took the hill 29 times last season and dominated with MLB bests in ERA (2.38) and K/9 (11.4), along with 225 strikeouts.

Sale received 26 first-place votes, while the Phillies' Zack Wheeler, who finished in second, received the other