Cy Young Race: Chris Sale Earns Finalist Spot With 200-K Season

Chris Sale secured a finalist position for the National League Cy Young Award on Tuesday. The Atlanta Braves left-hander joins Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sánchez in the voting. MLB Network confirmed the nominations on Nov. 3.

Sale posted a 2.16 earned run average and recorded 200 strikeouts during the season. He pitched 162.2 innings for the Braves. The team finished with a 3.63 team ERA, which ranked fifth best in Major League Baseball. Sale’s performance helped the Braves finish with 94 wins and capture the National League East title.

The pitcher is 37 years old. He signed a one-year contract extension in February that pays $27 million. The deal includes a club option for $30 million in 2028. Sale’s resurgence follows a period from 2020 to 2023 where injuries limited him to just 151 innings. He previously won the Cy Young Award in 2024 after leading the league with 18 wins and a 2.38 ERA.

Misiorowski enters the voting as the favorite. He is 16-5 with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings. He made 30 starts this season. Sale provided stability for a rotation that dealt with injuries. He pitched alongside Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, Martin Perez, and Tyler Mahle.

Sale’s August 27 game against the Dodgers drew attention. He threw an 11-strikeout complete-game shutout. That performance reinvigorated discussions about his Hall of Fame candidacy. His dominance in Atlanta has bolstered his case for Cooperstown despite previous setbacks.

The award will be announced on Nov. 11. Braves manager Walt Weiss is also a finalist for National League Manager of the Year. Weiss replaced Brian Snitker and led the team to its first division title since 2023. That vote will be announced on Nov. 10.