NL Cy Young Award top 5 candidates in MLB’s recent poll

The National League Cy Young race has turned into one of the most competitive individual award battles in MLB. Several elite starters have put together seasons that would make them serious contenders in almost any other year, but only one pitcher will ultimately take home the hardware. MLB.com’s latest expert poll has five pitchers standing above the rest: Jacob Misiorowski, Cristopher Sánchez, Chris Sale, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Chase Burns. MORE: MLB catcher Jake Rogers breaks a 122-year-old record 1. Jacob Misiorowski — Brewers Jun 19, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images Jacob Misiorowski has emerged as the clear favorite after a dominant season with Milwaukee. The hard-throwing right-hander has overwhelmed hitters with elite velocity and has separated himself from the rest of the field in the latest MLB.com voting. Misiorowski previously led the league in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP during the season, and his combination of run prevention and swing-and-miss ability has made him extremely difficult to hit. 2. Cristopher Sánchez — Phillies Cristopher Sánchez has arguably been the biggest challenger to Misiorowski. The Philadelphia lefty has put together another outstanding season after finishing second in the 2025 NL Cy Young voting. He also authored a 50 2/3-inning scoreless streak, which was the fifth-longest single-season streak since 1893 and the longest ever by a left-handed pitcher. MORE: MLB awards predictions for the 2026 season 3. Chris Sale — Braves Sep 22, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (51) throws against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images At 37 years old, Chris Sale continues to pitch like one of the best starters in baseball. The Atlanta ace has a 2.06 ERA, which ranks second in the majors, while his 123 strikeouts rank seventh in the NL. Sale won the NL Cy Young Award in 2024, and another dominant season has put him right back into the conversation. 4. Yoshinobu Yamamoto — Dodgers Yoshinobu Yamamoto has once again been a major part of the Dodgers’ rotation and remains firmly in the Cy Young discussion. Los Angeles has multiple candidates in the NL race, but Yamamoto’s consistency and ability to limit opposing offenses have kept him among the top contenders. He has also been among the pitchers receiving votes in MLB.com’s Cy Young polls throughout the season. MORE: 4 MLB teams most likely to win the World Series, not including the Dodgers 5. Chase Burns — Reds Jun 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns (26) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Rounding out the top five is Chase Burns, one of the most exciting young pitchers in the National League. Burns has consistently shown why Cincinnati made such a significant investment in him, and his combination of power and run prevention has made him one of the league’s most dangerous starters. Burns has also been remarkably consistent, pitching at least five innings in each of his first 15 starts while allowing two runs or fewer in 14 of them. — Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —