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With the second half of the 2026 MLB season now underway, the National League Cy Young Award race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. MLB.com recently asked a panel of experts to rank the top five candidates for the award, and the list features a blend of established aces and rising stars who have dominated hitters throughout the first half of the season. Here is a breakdown of how they voted.
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1. Jacob Misiorowski – Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers’ flamethrowing righty has taken baseball by storm. Misiorowski earned the top spot after putting together a spectacular first half, establishing himself as one of the most overpowering pitchers in the sport. His electric fastball and elite strikeout ability have made him the early favorite to take home the National League’s top pitching honor.
2. Cristopher Sánchez – Philadelphia Phillies
Cristopher Sánchez continues to prove that last season was no fluke. The Phillies left-hander has been one of the league’s most consistent starters, giving Philadelphia a chance to win every time he takes the mound. His combination of command, durability, and swing-and-miss stuff has firmly placed him among the elite pitchers in baseball.
3. Chris Sale – Atlanta Braves
The veteran ace remains one of the toughest pitchers in baseball. Even in the later stages of his career, Sale has continued to dominate opposing lineups and has once again positioned himself squarely in the Cy Young conversation. His ability to miss bats at an elite rate remains one of his biggest strengths.
4. Zack Wheeler – Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are the only team with two pitchers in the top five. Wheeler has once again delivered another outstanding season even after missing the early part of it. He has given Philadelphia arguably the most formidable one-two punch in the National League.
5. Chase Burns – Cincinnati Reds
Rounding out the top five is Reds standout Chase Burns. Burns has quickly emerged as one of the brightest young arms in baseball, using premium velocity and overpowering stuff to establish himself as one of the league’s breakout stars.
A Wide-Open Race
While Misiorowski currently sits atop MLB.com’s rankings, the race is far from over. With more than two months remaining in the regular season, every start will matter as these five pitchers battle for one of baseball’s most prestigious individual awards.
Injuries, consistency, and a dominant finish could ultimately determine who takes home the National League Cy Young Award. If the first half is any indication, fans are in for a thrilling race between some of the game’s very best pitchers.
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