Porcello rebounded from a bad season by leading the Red Sox back to the playoffs on the way to winning the Cy Young Award. On September 9, 2016, Porcello became the first Major League pitcher to reach 20 wins in the current season, as the Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 13–3. Porcello led the major leagues in 2016 with 22 wins (against four losses) and posted career bests in most major statistical categories, including: games started (33), innings pitched (223), strikeouts (189), ERA (3.15) and WHIP (1.01). He also allowed 32 walks over the entire season, leading the major leagues with a 5.91 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and threw three complete games. Porcello's 26 quality starts were tied for the AL lead with former teammate Justin Verlander.