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AL Cy Young odds and prediction (DeGrom favored, McClanahan has best value)

By Iain MacMillan

Oct 1, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are just days away from the start of the 2023 MLB regular season.

That means it’s time for us all to get in some futures bets. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the odds to win the American League Cy Young award.

Last year’s winner, Justin Verlander, has left the AL after signing with the New York Mets in the offseason. That leaves the race wide open for Cy Young contenders this season.

The next five pitchers who finished behind in Cy Young voting last year are as follows; Dylan Cease, Alek Manoah, Shohei Ohtani, Framber Valdez, and Shane McClanahan. All five of those pitchers are still with the same teams they were last year.

But, there’s bad news for those Cy Young hopefuls. Verlander left the American League, but he was replaced by Jacob deGrom, who signed with the Texas Rangers. As a result, he’s the betting favorite to win the award heading into the start of the regular season.

Let’s take a peak at the odds to win the 2023 AL Cy Young.

Odds to win AL Cy Young

AL Cy Young prediction

There was a point in time during last season where Shane McClanahan was top 3 on the odds list to win the Cy Young award. He fells off a bit in the final month of the season, sporting a 5.21 ERA in September, but at just 25 years old, he’s a strong candidate to be the top pitcher in the AL in 2023.

Last year, he finished the season with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.077 WHIP while averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings. You can expect him to take another step forward in his progression this season, and he showed signs exactly that in preseason.

He pitched 9.2 innings in spring training, giving up only one earned run while striking out 10.

Sure, we can’t base our predictions solely off spring training, but it’s a promising sign for the young ace.

At +1200, he’s my best bet to win the AL Cy Young this season.

Pick: Shane McClanahan +1200

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.