Via MLB.com
We have seen all of March, April and now 20 days of May in this 2023 MLB season. The odds are that the American League’s Cy Young is already making an impact. Let’s take a look at the top five players in the running while you can still get plus money value from your favorite sportsbook.
Odds to win- American League Cy Young 2023 courtesy of Betfred
GERRIT COLE – NEW YORK YANKEES +400
Cole is off to the best start of his career and that’s quite the feat! After his first 10 starts, he has a 5-0 record with a 2.01 ERA, placing Cole second in that category in the AL and far ahead of his career average (3.19). Cole leads the AL in innings pitched thus far at 62.2, which is quite the sample size to have at this point of the year. This may be the year Cole finally earns his spot at the top.
Gerrit Cole leads https://t.co/Z3s2EpgF39's latest AL Cy Young poll. Who's your current pick? pic.twitter.com/2QpgCtzISf
— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2023
SHANE MCCLANAHAN – TAMPA BAY RAYS +500
Baseball’s best team is led by one of its best pitchers. A first time All-Star in 2022, McClanahan through his first 10 starts is off to career best levels. His 2.34 ERA and batting average against of .203 are both ahead of his career averages. Along with a 7-0 record to start the 2023 campaign, +500 is quite the value at this point of the season.
SHOHEI OHTANI – LOS ANGELES ANGELS +700
Ohtani will win a Cy Young at some point in his career. This generational talent continues to get better every season, with this one being no exception. Through nine starts, Ohtani has a 5-1 record with 71 strikeouts and a 3.23 ERA. Despite earning a higher ERA than his career level, Ohtani still ranks 13th in the AL. There will be a year betting on Ohtani will pay out.
With his 502nd career K, Shohei Ohtani passed Babe Ruth in career strikeouts.
(Via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/CMK5RWLw7F
— MLB (@MLB) May 10, 2023
LUIS CASTILLO – SEATTLE MARINERS +850
Castillo is an interesting candidate. His best season came in 2019 in the National League, but started the season 2-0 through his first seven starts with the Mariners. Since then, he’s 0-2 with an ERA of 6.35. The talent is there, but he’s heading in the wrong direction.
KEVIN GAUSMAN – TORONTO BLUE JAYS +1500
Pitching at the top of one of the AL’s best teams has its perks. Gausman will be in a few high-profile match ups this season and could win over voters. Unfortunately, his start to the season hasn’t been Cy Young caliber. After his first nine starts, Gausman has a record of 2-3 with a 3.27 ERA. Good enough to rank 15th in the American League.
NOTABLE WILD CARD CONTENDERS
JOE RYAN – MINNESOTA TWINS +1500 SONNY GRAY – MINNESOTA TWINS +2000
If you’re looking to hitch your wagon on a pitcher that has high value and is performing at Cy Young pace, look no further than the Minnesota Twins rotation. The Twins are sitting atop of the AL Central behind solid performances from Sonny Gray. After his first nine starts, Gray has a record of 4-0 and a league leading ERA of 1.64. Coincidently, Gray’s teammate Joe Ryan isn’t that far behind him. Ryan has a 6-1 record and is sitting in fourth with a 2.16 ERA. The land of 10,000 lakes may have a Cy Young battle on their hands, and we may have found INCREDIBLE value.
For more MLB content, check out the links below!
–MLB Cy Young National League Leaders
