There was a bit tougher competition this time around, and yet the outcome of the 2025 AL Cy Young award voting by the BBWAA never seemed in doubt. On Wednesday, that assessment was confirmed as Skubal became the 23rd major league pitcher to win multiple Cy Young awards, and only the 12th pitcher in major league history to claim them in back-to-back years.
The big left-hander managed to improve on his incredible 2024 numbers, putting up a 2.21 ERA and a 2.45 FIP mark across 195 1/3 inning while striking
out a league leading 241 batters in 2025. He even improved his 0.92 WHIP from last season by registering a 0.89 WHIP this season.
Skubal received 26 first place votes. LHP Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox finished in second place, with RHP Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros coming in third in the voting.
In short, he was albsolutely dominant from start to finish. Along the way he pitched one of the better complete game shutouts of all-time on May 25 when he throttled the Cleveland Guardians, allowing just two hits, no walks, and 13 strikeouts in less than 100 pitches. He topped the season off with an incredible postseason run, allowing just four runs in 20 2/3 innings across three starts, good for a 1.74 postseason ERA as he dragged the hapless Tigers’ offense through the Wild Card round and all the way to a decisive Game 5 in which he left after six innings of one-run ball only to watch the bullpen immediately blow the lead and the team ultimately lose in 15 innings.
Without Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers were little more than an average major league club this season. His individual achievements are incredible. His impact on turning the club into a postseason contender is even more outsized. Skubal is their difference maker and this is a very well deserved award, putting him in rare company in the game’s history.
Here is the list of back-to-back Cy Young award winners.
Sandy Koufax: 1965-1966 (NL)
Denny McLain: 1968-1969 (AL)
Jim Palmer: 1975-1976 (AL)
Roger Clemens: 1986-1987 and 1997-1998 (AL)
Greg Maddux: 1992-1995 (NL)
Randy Johnson: 1999-2002 (NL)
Pedro Martinez: 1999-2000 (AL)
TIm Lincecum: 2008-2009 (NL)
Max Scherzer: 2016-2017 (NL)
Clayton Kershaw: 2013-2014 (NL)
Jacob deGrom: 2018-2019 (NL)
Of course, the news everyone wants now is whether Tarik Skubal will be staying with the Tigers or not, and for how long. There’s no way to avoid that shadow over the proceedings. Still, it’s been an absolute pleasure to watch Tarik Skubal the past two and a half years. His transformation has been incredible, both as a pitcher and as the heart and soul of this current Detroit Tigers club.
Congratulations to Tarik Skubal, your 2025 AL Cy Young award winner.
