Veteran Chris Sale Secures Cy Young Finalist Spot

The National League Cy Young Award race has narrowed to three pitchers, with the Atlanta Braves’ Chris Sale named a finalist by MLB Network on Tuesday.

Sale shares the ballot with Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski and Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez. The 37-year-old Sale recorded 200 strikeouts in 162.2 innings, maintaining a 2.16 earned run average for the Braves. His performance contributed to the team’s fifth-best team ERA in Major League Baseball at 3.63.

Sale served as the primary stabilizing force for a rotation that faced injury issues during Atlanta’s 94-win season. He operated alongside pitchers Bryce Elder, Grant Holmes, Martin Perez, and Tyler Mahle as the Braves secured the National League East title. A complete-game shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 27, which included 11 strikeouts, drew attention to his current effectiveness.

This season extends a late-career trend for Sale. After throwing just 151 innings from 2020 to 2023 due to injuries, he won the 2024 Cy Young Award with a league-leading 18 wins and a 2.38 ERA. His recent form has intensified discussion regarding his candidacy for the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Misiorowski currently leads the betting markets as the favorite to win the award. He finished the season with a 16-5 record, a 1.80 ERA, and 252 strikeouts in 174.2 innings across 30 starts. Sale signed a one-year contract extension in February worth $27 million, with a club option for $30 million in 2028.

Braves manager Walt Weiss is also a finalist for the National League Manager of the Year. Weiss replaced Brian Snitker and guided the team to its first division title since 2023. The Cy Young Award winner will be announced on November 11, while the Manager of the Year recipient will be named on November 10.