Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball right now. Paul Skenes is not far behind, but the Detroit Tigers superstar has won back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards for a reason. Will someone be able to upset him in the AL Cy Young race this year? According to former star pitcher Jake Peavy -- who won a Cy Young of his own in 2007 -- Kansas City Royals starter Cole Ragans will win the award in 2026. 

"Cole Ragans stays healthy, he wins the AL Cy Young," Peavy said, via MLB Network. "He's that good."

Ragans vs. Skubal for 2026 AL Cy Young?

Ragans was limited to 13 starts in 2025. His performance was underwhelming, as he turned in a 4.67 ERA. Finding a rhythm while not pitching consistently is a challenge, though.

In 2024, Ragans was electric. The southpaw recorded a 3.14 ERA across 32 outings. He added 223 strikeouts. Ragans ultimately finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting. 

The idea of Ragans bouncing back if healthy is certainly realistic. Will he be able to upset Skubal, though?

The Tigers' left-hander is entering a contract season. As a result, he will have even more motivation to be on top of his game, and that's a frightening thought given how good he has been over the past two years.

Skubal led the league in ERA in 2024 (2.39) and 2025 (2.21). He made exactly 31 starts in each of those years. Skubal struck out 228 hitters in 2024 and 241 in 2025. 

When it comes to the best pitcher in baseball conversation, the only guy who is somewhat close to Skubal right now is Skenes. Skenes has been electric, and he is the best pitcher in the National League. If Skenes and Skubal pitched in the same league, the chances of any other pitcher in that league winning the Cy Young would be extremely slim.

As it stands right now, they are in different leagues. That means someone else will have to challenge Skubal for the Cy Young in 2026. Will it be Cole Ragans? Jake Peavy certainly thinks so, and as mentioned, he knows a thing or two about the Cy Young award. 

Ragans will be a starting pitcher to watch all season long. He will need to have an incredible campaign to upset Tarik Skubal, but Cole Ragans' ceiling is high without question. Anything could happen.