Here we have a look at top offshore sportsbooks early odds to win the respective Cy Young awards in the 2022 MLB season.
AL Cy Young Favorites
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees (+350)
You can’t set many stories in the results from the first couple of starts of the season. The best online sportsbooks obviously aren’t concerned after Gerrit Cole allowed three earned runs on four hits and struck out three over just four innings against the Red Sox.
It’s worth looking back on last season to see what he can do. His 3.23 ERA was his highest since 2017. He also had a 2.92 FIP. This suggests that he may have been unlucky. He still had the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the AL (5.93). He finished second in the Cy Young voting.
He’s never won the trophy, but the top offshore sportsbooks expect he will be considered the early AL favorite.
Shane Bieber, Cleveland Guardians (+500)
Not unlike Cole, Bieber didn’t especially stand out in his first start of the year. He went just 4 2/3 innings against the Royals with four punchouts. He only allowed one run on three hits, but his fastball was not all that fast at around 90 mph.
That could be a concern if it continues. From 2019 to 2021, Bieber went 30-13 with a 2.92 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 515 strikeouts in 388 1/3 innings. The Guardians roster may not have much punch, but they’ll be competitive in every game that Bieber starts.
Dylan Cease, Chicago White Sox (+900)
Dylan Cease has seen his odds go from +2,500 to +900 at the top offshore sportsbooks in the last week. A popular candidate going into the season, he dominated the Tigers in five innings of work. He struck out eight and allowed just two hits.
He walked three, which helped his day come to an end a little early. If he can harness his command, he may very well challenge to win the AL Cy Young. He might be Chicago’s top bet, too, since both Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn are out injured.
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels (+900)
The AL MVP betting favorite is among the Cy Young hopefuls as well. The question is whether he will get enough innings. He struck out nine in his first start. Also he was pulled with two out in the fifth inning. He was ultimately assigned the loss.
Ohtani’s value is tied to what he can do on both sides of the ball. Nevertheless, he completed six or more innings in 14 of his 23 starts last year. Pitchers have been on a very tight leash due to a shorter spring training. He will get there, though.
Robbie Ray, Seattle Mariners (+1000)
The defending AL Cy Young winner might have gotten a bit lucky in his first start of the season. He could just be shaking off some rust.
NL Cy Young favorites
Corbin Burnes, Milwaukee Brewers (+500)
With arguably the best cutter since Mariano Rivera, Corbin Burnes earned his first Cy Young award last season. He edged out Zack Wheeler in the voting. He’s the genuine article.
Max Scherzer, New York Mets (+500)
Despite his age and several injuries, Scherzer hasn’t missed a beat. He finished third in NL Cy Young voting last season. He went 15-4 with a 2.46 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 179 1/3 innings. That includes a 1.98 ERA in 11 starts after he was traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers.
Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers (+700)
Buehler has emerged as the team’s ace in the hole. A two-time All-Star, the 27-year-old is coming off his best season to date. Walker topped 200 innings pitched for the first time. He also was one of only four pitchers to hit that mark in 2021. He posted a 2.47 ERA in 33 starts. That kind of resilience will go a long way.
