What happened: Jon Heyman said September will decide the American League Cy Young race between Cam Schlittler and Dylan Cease. Less than a month remains in the regular season.
Why it matters: The award race now hinges on each pitcher’s final turns through opposing lineups. Cease reached 200 strikeouts in mid-August, adding a marquee counting-stat case to his candidacy.
By the numbers: Schlittler has 201 strikeouts, a 2.09 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP and a .197 opponents’ batting average. His 18 starts allowing one run or fewer lead MLB.
What to watch: Watch the pitchers’ September starts and whether either opens a clear statistical gap before voting.