The winding down of the regular season marks a critical time in Major League Baseball, as awards votes must be cast before the playoffs commence, with winners being unveiled after the World Series. Among the standout performers, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani emerge as frontrunners in the MVP race, with their statistical domination setting a high bar.
Aaron Judge's Stellar Season
Aaron Judge is leading the majors in several categories, notably home runs, RBI, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and WAR. His impressive stats, reading .324/.460/.703 (224 OPS+), include 57 home runs, 142 RBI, 120 runs, and a remarkable 10.6 WAR. Additionally, Judge has demonstrated a flawless baserunning skill with 10 stolen bases in 10 attempts. Most impressively, he has adapted to playing out of his natural position, covering center field for most of the season.
Shohei Ohtani's Historic Achievement
Shohei Ohtani has achieved a rare feat with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. His stats, .303/.386/.642 (187 OPS+), include 53 home runs, 56 stolen bases, 125 RBI, 130 runs, and an 8.6 WAR. This combination of power and speed solidifies Ohtani's status as one of the game's most dynamic players.
Pitching Excellence
In the realm of pitching, Tarik Skubal, Chris Sale, and Zack Wheeler have stood out. Skubal boasts an 18-4 record, a 2.39 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 228 strikeouts in 192 innings, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. Reflecting on Skubal's season, 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."
Meanwhile, Chris Sale, with an 18-3 record, a 2.38 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings, has re-emerged as a top contender for the Cy Young award. Notably, Sale hasn't received a Cy Young vote since 2018, despite his historical finishes ranging from second to sixth place in various years.
Zack Wheeler rounds out the trio with a 16-7 record, a 2.56 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and 213 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings, further intensifying the competition for pitching accolades.
The Surprising Cleveland Guardians
At the team level, the Cleveland Guardians' season has been a story of resilience and overachievement. Initially projected to finish around .500 with a gambling win total set at 79, the Guardians were pegged to finish third in the AL Central. However, despite losing Shane Bieber to a season-ending injury after just two starts and underwhelming performances from Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen, the Guardians find themselves only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League. "And yet, the Guardians are only half a game out of the best record in the entire American League," summarizes their improbable success.
The Dominance of the Milwaukee Brewers
Over in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers have maintained a stronghold on the NL Central, not trailing in the division since April 29. They are on pace to finish with the largest division lead among all first-place teams, despite facing significant challenges. Craig Counsell's departure to the Chicago Cubs last winter, the season-ending loss of Brandon Woodruff, the spring training trade of Corbin Burnes to the Orioles, the injury to Devin Williams, and Christian Yelich's season-ending injury in July were major obstacles. Still, the team has demonstrated remarkable resilience. As one insider notes, "Murphy was promoted from within to take over a team that had already lost Brandon Woodruff for the 2024 season."
The Awards Race
As the season concludes, the focus will inevitably shift to the major awards. One of the voters remarks, "Remember, these aren't necessarily my picks. They are predictions as to who will win." While another adds, "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 forthcoming playoff battles and awards announcements promise to add a fitting climax to a season rich with outstanding individual performances and surprising team narratives. As always, baseball remains a game where predictability often gives way to the unexpected, and the final chapters of the 2023 season are still to be written.