MLB Cy Young Odds 2024: Potential Last Chance to Wager on Chris Sale

• Chris Sale is in a two horse race with Zack Wheeler to win the NL Cy Young award

• Tarik Skubal has created some separation for the top spot on the AL Cy Young oddsboard

• Paul Skenes is now in contention for the NL Cy Young award in his rookie year

After steadily creeping up the NL Cy Young oddsboard as we neared the All Star break, Chris Sale enters the second half of the season as the betting favorite for the highly coveted award. Well deserved as Sale outpaces former betting favorite Zack Wheeler in most key pitching metrics, now in full control of his own destiny with a small gap between the two in their current odds.

As for the AL, Tarik Skubal continues to build on his lead for the award while uncertainty looms over his future with the Detroit Tigers as we near the trade deadline. While recent reports state that the Tigers are not interested in trading him, it’s worth monitoring to see how he deals with the outside noise with Corbin Burnes still nipping at his heels. Skubal may possess better pitching metrics across the board than his closest contender, but he is still one stumble away from Burnes closing the gap on his lead for first.

MLB Cy Young Award Odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM sportsbook. Click on the odds in the table below to head to BetMGM sportsbook and place your bets. Create an account and get up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if you lose your first wager with the WSN promo code WSNSPORTS.

AL Cy Young Award Odds

NL Cy Young Award Odds

MLB Cy Young Award Predictions and Favorites to Win

AL - Tarik Skubal (-130) at BetMGM

While uncertainty looms over the star Tigers ace pitcher as we near the trade deadline, his production should remain the same as one of the best pitchers in the league. Since taking full control of first place over his closest contender Corbin Burnes, Skubal has managed to hold on to his lead by outpacing him across the board in most key pitching metrics.

Those metrics include WHIP, FIP, Total Strikeouts, Batters Walked, Hits Against, and Earned Runs Allowed in one less game played. Burnes still has the edge in ERA, but that is hardly enough to put him above Skubal for the highly coveted award. Should you have invested in Skubal earlier in the year, then now is a good time to buy Burnes as a hedge piece in what is labeled as a two horse race for the AL Cy Young award.

Bet on Tarik Skubal (-130) at BetMGM 

NL - Zack Wheeler (+190) at BetMGM

Once the comfortable betting favorite to win the NL Cy Young award, Wheeler has seen his lead disappear as Chris Sale leapt over him at the halfway point of the season. His lead never seemed safe over the past month of play as Sale outpaced him in most key pitching metrics, now reflecting it in their current odds as Sale continues to widen the gap.

To make matters worse for Wheeler, negative regression looms large over the Phillies ace as his Walk Rate steadily increases. While opposing offenses have yet to open the floodgates with runners on base due to being walked, Wheeler is one poor inning away from seeing his odds crash down the board should it happen. Avoid wagering on Wheeler for now with Sale playing at a higher level.

Bet on Zack Wheeler (+190) at BetMGM 

AL - Corbin Burnes (+290) at FanDuel

Since losing his lead for the top spot on the AL Cy Young oddsboard, Burnes has been playing catch up with current betting favorite Tarik Skubal. Burnes does currently possess a better ERA, but his increasingly high WHIP raises red flags as opposing offenses are getting on base at an alarming rate against the Baltimore Orioles ace.

The issue for Burnes is that he is currently behind Skubal in most key pitching metrics as previously mentioned, most likely needing him to go through a cold stretch or have to sit out for a period of time with an injury for him to retake his lead. If you bet on Skubal earlier in the year, then Burnes makes for a good hedge piece. If you have not, then pass on Burnes for now until Skubal shows signs of regression.

Bet on Corbin Burnes (+290) at FanDuel 

NL - Paul Skenes (+550) at FanDuel

After making his debut in the middle of the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Paul Skenes has quickly captivated the nation with his elite pitching production. Not only has his play quickly thrusted him as the heavy favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year award, but Skenes is also making a case for the Cy Young award.

Potentially an over reaction after getting the honor of starting for the National League in the All Star game, but his metrics also back up his success as he continues to blow past the competition. As of writing, Skenes possesses an ERA of 1.90, a WHIP of 0.920, a FIP of 2.57, 89 Total Strikeouts, just 48 Hits Against, and 14 Earned Runs Allowed. The issue for Skenes is that unless Sale and Wheeler miss some time, it’s tough to back him with just 11 total games played.

Bet on Paul Skenes (+550) at FanDuel 

AL - Logan Gilbert (+1100) at FanDuel

Fresh off of his first career complete game against the Chicago White Sox, Seth Lugo has seen his odds climb back up the oddsboard for the AL Cy Young award. Lugo finished the contest with six Total Strikeouts, three Hits Against, and One Earned Run Allowed. 

An impressive feat in today’s game, yet hardly enough to make a viable case as one of the contenders to win the award as the current odds dictate. Especially when Lugo is in the same position as Burnes, ranking below Skubal in WHIP, FIP, Total Strikeouts, Batters Walked, Hits Against, and Earned Runs Allowed. His lower ERA mark is a step in the right direction, but Lugo needs to string together more dominant outings in order to be taken as a serious contender this late in the season.

Bet on Logan Gilbert (+1100) at FanDuel 

MLB Cy Young Award Winner - My Pick

NL - Chris Sale (+115) at BetMGM

Since leaping over Zack Wheeler for the top spot of the NL Cy Young oddsboard, Sale has only seen his odds steadily grow as we enter the second half of the season. Well deserved too as Sale currently ranks better than Wheeler in most key pitching metrics, including WHIP, FIP, Total Strikeouts, Batters Walked, and Earned Runs Allowed.

Sale has been one of the few steady sources of production for a struggling Braves squad, now needing him more than ever as their offense continues to deal with adversity after the injury to Ozzie Albies. Especially with their defense regressing as well, falling down to league average in Defensive Efficiency. With negative regression looming over Wheeler, as well as Sale continuing to play at an elite level, buy Sale now as this may be the last chance we get to grab him with a plus sign in front of his odds.

Bet on Chris Sale (+115) at BetMGM 

Cy Young Award History 

With Corbin Burnes odds still having him in second place to win the AL Cy young award, it’s starting to look like we will have a new pair of names to win both awards over the past five years. Tarik Skubal has taken full command as the universal favorite to win the AL Cy Young award while Chris Sale is in first place in the NL. Paul Skenes and Zack Wheeler are also still in contention, creating some added excitement to see who gets to etch their name in the history books for the prestigious pitching award.

AL Cy Young Award Winners

NL Cy Young Award Winners

How to Read MLB Cy Young Award Odds 

Like in every bet you make, it’s vital to understand how the listed odds work. While there are no players currently in this market with a negative sign in front of their odds (-130 for ex.), you may see that later on. Should Chris Sale’s odds say that he is a -130 favorite, then you would have to wager $130 to profit $100. At his current listed odds of +115, then a $100 wager profits you $115.

How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the Cy Young Award

Odds vary between sportsbooks which makes it vital to have as many as you can get in order to line shop. When looking to wager on Chris Sale, you can see that his odds are as high as +115 at BetMGM and as low as +100 at Caesars. That is a difference of $15 in lost profit for a $100 bettor should you take his lowest listed odds. Be sure to always line shop in order to maximize your potential for profits.

Each sportsbook also has a unique new user sign up offer that you can read in the table below. Caesars sportsbook for example, is giving new users up to $1,000 in bonus bets back should they lose their first bet after creating an account and making a deposit.

*Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.

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