A final Awards Watch narrows the field across MLB’s top honors, tallying the leading contenders and the scenarios that could flip the race. In the AL MVP chase, Aaron Judge remains the favorite over Cal Raleigh, with Judge’s superior overall metrics and late-season consistency keeping him ahead despite Raleigh’s historic home run pace. In the NL, Shohei Ohtani’s rare blend of hitting and pitching cements him atop the MVP table, while Juan Soto’s OBP mastery and steals keep him as the strongest challenger. The Cy Young races tighten as Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes lead the American and National Leagues, respectively, with a close fight from Garrett Crochet and Cristopher Sanchez. The Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year categories also move toward clear contenders, though a late surge from a hot starter or a strategic managerial move could still reshape the outcomes.

Across the board, the analysis leans on WAR, win probability metrics, and narrative momentum to assess direction. The final weeks will test durability and playoff scenarios, with the outcomes likely to hinge on late-season surges, health, and the ability to translate big numbers into hardware-worthy campaigns.