To make a deep, successful October run, Major League Baseball franchises require an ace, or two, in their rotation.
Whether inducing swings out of the zone with off-speed pitchers or blowing fastballs right by the bat, these stars on the mound are the key to keeping their opponents off the scoreboard.
And for the cream of this hurling crop, silverware awaits them, with the best pitcher each season in both the American and National Leagues earning the Cy Young Award.
From a Red Bird with a rifle for an arm to the AL East's resident Rocket, here is the full list of Major League Baseball pitchers to have won multiple Cy Young Awards.
| Number of awards | Player | Seasons | Franchise/s |
| 7 | Roger Clemens | 1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001 & 2004 | Boston, Toronto, New York Yankees & Houston |
| 5 | Randy Johnson | 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001 & 2002 | Seattle & Arizona |
| 4 | Greg Maddux | 1992, 1993, 1994 & 1995 | Chicago Cubs & Atlanta |
| Steve Carlton | 1972, 1977, 1980 & 1982 | Philadelphia | |
| 3 | Clayton Kershaw | 2011, 2013 & 2014 | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| Max Scherzer | 2013, 2016 & 2017 | Detroit & Washington | |
| Justin Verlander | 2011, 2019 & 2022 | Detroit & Houston | |
| Pedro Martinez | 1997, 1999 & 2000 | Montreal & Boston | |
| Tom Seaver | 1969, 1973 & 1975 | New York Mets | |
| Jim Palmer | 1973, 1975 & 1976 | Baltimore | |
| Sandy Koufax | 1963, 1965 & 1966 | Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| 2 | Blake Snell | 2018 & 2023 | Tampa Bay & San Diego |
| Jacob deGrom | 2018 & 2019 | New York Mets | |
| Corey Kluber | 2014 & 2017 | Cleveland | |
| Tim Lincecum | 2008 & 2009 | San Francisco | |
| Johan Santana | 2004 & 2006 | Minnesota | |
| Roy Halladay | 2003 & 2010 | Toronto & Philadelphia | |
| Tom Glavine | 1991 & 1998 | Atlanta | |
| Bret Saberhagen | 1985 & 1989 | Kansas City | |
| Denny McLain | 1968 & 1969 | Detroit | |
| Gaylord Perry | 1972 & 1978 | Cleveland & San Diego | |
| Bob Gibson | 1968 & 1970 | St. Louis |