Sonny Gray is officially a top-tier pitcher again. He sits fourth in the latest American League Cy Young poll, and the numbers back it up. This isn’t just a fluke or a lucky streak. It’s a clear sign that the Red Sox have a genuine ace on their mound. The race has stabilized, and Gray is pulling away from the pack.
The Vote Count Speaks Volumes
Thirty-three MLB.com experts cast their votes for this latest poll. They ranked their top five picks based on results and future expectations. Gray earned 36 total vote points to secure that fourth spot. While Cam Schlittler leads the league with 154 points, Gray is right there in the mix. Dylan Cease and Joe Ryan sit ahead of him, but Gray’s name is in the conversation. That matters for a pitcher who was an All-Star snub earlier this year.
The voting scale gives five points for a first-place vote down to one for a fifth. Gray’s 36 points show he has serious support among those who know the game. He’s no longer an afterthought in the race. He’s a key player in the narrative of the season’s best pitchers. The poll shows the race is tight at the top, but Gray holds his ground.
A Historic Streak Defines His Season
Gray’s performance on the mound proves why he’s getting these votes. He recently threw his ninth straight quality start. That’s a massive feat for any pitcher in the league. It ties the second-longest stretch of his entire career. The last Red Sox pitcher to do this was Chris Sale in 2018. That’s a long time to wait for a streak like that to return to Fenway.
He didn’t have a perfect night to start his latest outing. He admitted he felt a bit rusty after the break. “Rusty, rusty,” said Gray. “You know how I am. I’m very [routine-oriented]. So yeah, a little rusty, but that’s OK. I just figured out a way.” He still managed to go six innings with just one run allowed. He walked a season-high four batters but struck out five. He minimized the damage early and closed it out strong.
This consistency is what separates good pitchers from Cy Young candidates. He has held opponents to a low average and kept his ERA in check. The team is riding a 13-game winning streak, and Gray is a huge part of that. He shook off the rust and delivered when it counted most. This is the kind of reliability fans want to see every fifth day.
Gray might not win the trophy this year, but he’s playing like a winner. He has proven he belongs in the same room as the league’s best. The fourth-place vote is just the beginning of a great season. Red Sox fans should be proud of what they’re watching. He’s the anchor of this pitching staff right now.
Do you think Gray can crack the top three in the next poll? Tell us who you think deserves the Cy Young award in the comments below.
