During the 1995 season, Nagy led the staff with a 16–6 and a 4.55 ERA, as the Indians returned to the World Series for the first time since . He pitched well in the division and league championship series, giving up two earned runs in 15 innings, but surrendered five earned runs in seven innings in Game 3 of the 1995 World Series. The next year, 1996, was arguably his best season; he recorded a 17–5 record and a 3.41 ERA, and he finished fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting.