2022 MLB Cy Young Odds

We are nearly a month into the 2022 MLB season, and oddsmakers have updated the odds for the annual Cy Young Award winners. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole was the opening favorite in the AL but has fallen behind Justin Verlander (+650) for the top spot. Max Scherzer, the Mets’ coveted free agent acquisition, had is now tied for the best odds in the NL with Corbin Burnes at +500.

Let’s take a dive into the updated odds to win the Cy Young award in the American and National League:

Who is favored in MLB American League Cy Young Odds?

Here are the current favorites to win the Cy Young Award in the American League, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

MLB Cy Young Odds: American League Value Bets

Robbie Ray, Seattle Mariners

(+4000)

Last year’s Cy Young award winner, Robbie Ray currently has +4000 odds to take home the award again this year. Ray was on the Blue Jays last season and signed with the Mariners in the offseason.

Through five starts, Ray has a 2-2 record, a 4.15 ERA, and a 1.25 WHIP. Neither of these stats places Ray around the top of the league, but he seems to improve with every start. Ray has pitched 31.1 innings and has allowed 14 earned runs on 26 hits while striking out 26. In order to improve his odds to win Cy Young, Ray needs to limit base runners and bring up his strikeout total. 

Nestor Cortes Jr., New York Yankees

(+5000)

Nestor Cortes Jr. has started four games for the Yankees so far this season and he has been arguably the best starter in their rotation. This is the first season Cortes has had a spot locked in as a starter every five days. 

Through four starts so far this season, Cortes has thrown 20.2 innings and has allowed just three earned runs on 15 hits and 28 strikeouts. Cortes is just 1-0, but the Yankees have won three of his four starts. If Cortes continues to pile up the strikeouts and minimize runs scored, +5000 odds to win the AL Cy Young will be gone sooner than later.

AL Cy Young Odds: Best Bet

Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays

(+1200)

At the moment, Shane McClanahan at +1200 to win the AL Cy Young is my favorite bet on the board. The 25-year-old has taken over as the ace of the Rays’ rotation and is improving in every start.

Through five starts, McClanahan has thrown 27 innings and has allowed only nine earned runs. McClanahan is a strikeout machine and has 42 Ks over 27 innings. Unfortunately for him, the Rays have only won two of his five starts, but that certainly is not a knock on McClanahan. If he continues his impressive strikeout rate and continues to minimize walks and runners on base, I would not be surprised to see McClanahan win the AL Cy Young.

Who Is Favored in the MLB National League Cy Young Odds?

Here are the current favorites to win the Cy Young Award in the National League, per DraftKings Sportsbook.

MLB Cy Young Odds: National League Value Bets

Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

(+2800)

Sandy Alcantara opened the season with +2500 odds to win the NL Cy Young, but even with this slight drop in odds, I think Alcantara is still a great value bet. 

Alcantara has made five starts for Miami and has allowed 10 earned runs on 26 hits. Alcantara has been wild to start the season and has allowed 14 walks to just 26 strikeouts. However, he does a great job minimizing damage while on the mound and I expect his strikeout rate to increase throughout the season. 

Chris Bassitt, New York Mets

(+3000)

The Mets traded for Chris Bassitt this offseason, and he has been everything they could have wanted and more. Bassitt currently has the No. 3 spot in the Mets rotation, but he would surely be a No. 2 or No. 1 starter on other teams. 

Bassitt has a 3-2 record and has thrown 31 innings in those five starts. Bassitt has a 2.61 ERA which is 23rd in the majors and a .94 WHIP which is 19th in the majors. Bassitt has only allowed nine runs this season on 21 hits, eight walks, and 34 strikeouts. He may be overlooked being on a pitching staff with Max Scherzer and (when healthy) Jacob deGrom, but Bassitt is certainly pulling his weight and more for the Mets. 

NL Cy Young Odds: Best Bet

Kyle Wright, Atlanta Braves

(+4000)

Kyle Wright certainly isn’t a household name, but I expect that to change quickly throughout the course of the season. The 26-year-old has been in the majors since 2018, but he has finally found his stride and is on the top of his game. 

Through four starts this season, Wright is 3-0 and the Braves have won all four games he started. He has thrown 24 innings and has allowed just three runs. What is most impressive about Wright is his command for a young pitcher. Wright has allowed just six walks this season while striking out 34. 

Wright being at +4000 is simply a misprice. He has the eighth-best WHIP in the league at 0.83 and the second-best ERA at 1.13. Wright is on a mission to establish himself as an ace, and he is doing just that.

How to Bet on the MLB Cy Young Award

Are you looking to take a wager on which pitchers will win the Cy Young award this season? FTN Bets has you covered with the tools to get you started betting. 

Step 1: Set up a sportsbook account

Most sportsbooks are generous and offer new users a sign-up bonus. Download a sportsbook app, create an account, and fill out the basic information. 

Step 2: Deposit money into your account

Sportsbooks offer users a variety of ways to fund an account. Also, sportsbooks may offer deposit bonuses for first-time deposits. Use a verified bank account to add money into your account before making any wagers.

Step 3: Make a Cy Young futures bet

After creating your account and depositing funds, you are now ready to place wagers on who will win the AL and NL Cy Young award. 

Cy Young award futures odds will continue to change as the 2022 MLB season moves along.