National League Cy Young Race: A Historic Contention

The 2026 National League Cy Young field emerged as an exceptional and unprecedented competition, marked by an impressive array of contenders. While the American League has a definitive frontrunner in the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, the NL boasts numerous pitchers delivering extraordinary performances this season.

As of Thursday, six NL pitchers had thrown at least 50 innings with an ERA below 2.00, alongside a strikeout rate exceeding one per inning. This milestone had never been achieved by one league at this stage of the season since the Cy Young Award began recognizing one pitcher from each league in 1967.

Examining the performances of these competitors reveals their remarkable skills over the first two months of the season. Notably, Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez, last year's NL runner-up, had not yielded a run in four weeks, stretching his scoreless innings streak to 44 2/3, breaking a franchise record held for 115 years. Currently, he leads all qualifiers with a 1.47 ERA and a 1.81 FIP, along with a 3.3 WAR per FanGraphs.

Meanwhile, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, after a careful 2024, has returned to pitching and excelled, boasting a 0.82 ERA after a no-hitter against the Rockies. Though Ohtani lacks the innings to qualify for the ERA title, his performance positions him strongly in the Cy Young race.

Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski made headlines with his record-setting velocities, achieving speeds over 100 mph more than any other pitcher since 2008. He also became the first pitcher of the season to notch 100 strikeouts while maintaining an impressive 1.83 ERA.

Braves left-hander Chris Sale, a former NL winner, also sports strong stats with a 1.89 ERA and 72 strikeouts, yet he might struggle to clinch a finalist position due to the fierce competition.

Also in the conversation is Brewers' Kyle Harrison, who has transformed into a formidable pitcher, lowering his ERA to 1.57 after 18 scoreless innings in his last three starts. Reds pitcher Chase Burns, once a top draft pick, remains a formidable presence with a 1.96 ERA.

Philies’ Zack Wheeler makes his resurgence known with a 1.67 ERA after overcoming surgery, while Padres closer Mason Miller is showcasing an exceptional year with a 0.76 ERA and 16-for-16 in save chances. Lastly, reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, despite a rocky start to 2026, remains a contender due to his impressive ratios and historical performance. The NL's Cy Young race has certainly made a mark for its depth and competitiveness this season.