MLB Cy Young Odds For 2026
The race to become best pitcher in the MLB always serves up plenty of interest. Did you know that you can find MLB Cy Young odds at US sportsbooks? Yep, betting is available on who will claim the coveted award!
We have compiled this guide to share everything you should know about wagering on the best pitcher in Major League Baseball. From an overview of the Cy Young award, to how to read betting odds, and a few tips to maximize your experience, we have got you covered. Right, time to step up to the mound and get started!
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Overview of the MLB Cy Young Award
Named after Hall of Famer Denton True ‘Cy’ Young, the Cy Young Award honors the best two pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). The award is presented annually and top honors go to the best pitcher in the American League (AL) and the National League (NL).
Just as we did with our MLB Rookie of the Year odds guide, we have detailed everything you should know about the Cy Young Award below, including the evaluation criteria, who actually decides the winners and some of the recent winners of this prestigious award.
Two winners will be determined
Originally, the Cy Young Award was given to a single pitcher in the MLB, but since 1967, it has been presented to the best pitchers in the American League and the National League. Generally, only starting pitchers win the award, rather than relievers, as starting pitchers pitch for the majority of innings. There is no set evaluation criteria when deciding who ranks top among the MLB pitchers, but below is a list of the key stats that the voters rank the best pitchers on:
- Earned Run Average (ERA)
- Strikeouts
- Wins & Losses
- Advanced metrics, including Walk and Hits per Inning Pitched (WHIP), Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP)
The winners are selected based on a scoring system
Similar to the MLB MVP odds betting and voting process, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) determines the winners of the Cy Young Award. Two writers from each MLB city will vote on who should win the award. Writers from American League cities vote for the AL winner, and writers from the National League cities vote for the NL winner. In total, 30 writers cast their ballots, and the voting is done using a weighted scoring system.
Each writer will select five pitchers on the ballot and score them on a weighted scale of 7-4-3-2-1. The first choice candidate will be awarded 7 points, the second choice 4 points, the third pitcher gets 3 points, while the fourth and fifth options are awarded 2 and 1 points, respectively.
Once all the votes are cast and the ballots counted by the BBWAA Treasurer, the three finalists for the AL and NL Cy Young Awards (three pitchers with the highest number of votes) will be announced. Thereafter, generally around a week later, the winners of the AL and NL Cy Young Awards will be announced during the final weeks of the postseason.
Speaking of the postseason, one important thing to note about the voting process is that the BBWAA writers cast their ballots at the end of the regular season, before the start of the postseason, so playoff performances have no bearing on the voting.
Roll of Honor: Previous Cy Young winners
There have been plenty of winners of the Cy Young Award throughout the years, and notable pitchers who have claimed the honor include Denton True ‘Cy’ Young, Roger Clemens (seven-time winner), Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Steve Carlton, and Tarik Skubal. You can browse the table below, which details the most recent winners of the award from 2015 to 2025:
| Year | American League Cy Young Winner | National League Cy Young Winner | ||
| 2025 | Tarik Skubal (Tigers) | Paul Skenes (Pirates) | ||
| 2024 | Tarik Skubal (Tigers) | Chris Sale (Braves) | ||
| 2023 | Gerrit Cole (Yankees) | Blake Snell (Padres) | ||
| 2022 | Justin Verlander (Astros) | Sandy Alcantara (Marlins) | ||
| 2021 | Robbie Ray (Blue Jays) | Corbin Burnes (Brewers) | ||
| 2020 | Shane Bieber (Guardians) | Trevor Bauer (Reds) | ||
| 2019 | Justin Verlander (Astros) | Jacob deGrom (Mets) | ||
| 2018 | Blake Snell (Rays) | Jacob deGrom (Mets) | ||
| 2017 | Corey Kluber (Guardians) | Max Scherzer (Nationals) | ||
| 2016 | Rick Porcello (Red Sox) | Max Scherzer (Nationals) | ||
| 2015 | Dallas Keuchel (Astros) | Jake Arrieta (Cubs) |
Can you wager on the Cy Young winners?
If online sports betting is available in your state and you are above the minimum age to create a betting account, then you can wager on the Cy Young winners. Like MLB home run leader odds, you will find competitive Cy Young odds at the best sportsbooks, which are available throughout the regular season and during the playoffs.
However, you should first double-check that traditional sportsbooks are allowed in your state, and if so, browse the banners on this page to find reputable gambling websites to join.
Understanding MLB odds
The default odds displayed at US betting sites are American, which means a (-) before the odds of a short-priced favorite and a (+) before the odds of an (+100) underdog. While you can change the odds display to decimal or fractional, the American display is widely used by many US bettors. If you are new to sportsbooks or need a refresher on how to read Cy Young MLB odds, we have briefly explained the process with the examples below:
Let’s say that Tarik Skubal to win the AL Cy Young is priced at -120. This means that you must wager $120 to win $100 in profit. If you place a $120 wager and Skubal wins the best pitcher in the American League, you will receive $220 (including your stake). Over at the National League, Chris Sale to win the NL Cy Young is priced at +400. A $100 wager will return $400 in profit should Sale claim the award, and a total return of $500 (including your stake).
| American odds | Favorite (below even money) | Underdog (above even money) |
| Display | Odds are displayed in (-) before the price | Odds are displayed in (+) before the price |
| Example |
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Pros and cons: Cy Young odds MLB 2026
- Competitive odds
- Markets are open throughout the season
- Bets are settled quickly once the winners are determined
- Detailed research is required
MLB Cy Young odds 2026: Key names to follow
The MLB Cy Young odds for 2026 are updating regularly, as several pitchers have put their hands up for the crown. However, big-name injuries have also altered the odds, and at the time of writing, there are plenty of players who are in contention for both the AL and NL Cy Young Award. We have shared a few standout pitchers so far in the 2026 campaign who should be on your radar.
American League
The big news from the American League has been the shock injury to two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. With Skubal now out of contention, the betting is wide open, with Cam Schlittler leading the way, with Dylan Cease and Jacob deGrom also putting in big performances.
- Cam Schlittler (Yankees) - Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler has done well so far this year, averaging 1.51 ERA and throwing 75+ strikeouts in 2026. Schlittler tops the boards for the AL Cy Young Award, currently priced around the +175 mark.
- Dylan Cease (Blue Jays) - Recent free agent signing Dylan Cease has started impressively for his new team, and the Blue Jays starting pitcher boasts a solid 2.87 ERA and 84+ strikeouts. Cease is not too far behind in the betting, with odds of +250.
- Jacob deGrom (Rangers) - A multiple NL Cy Young winner with the Mets, Jacob deGrom is no stranger on this list. While the veteran now features in the American League with the Rangers, he is still putting up standout performances, with 61+ strikeouts. He provides the value in the betting with odds of +500.
National League
The National League race also looks close, with Paul Skenes a popular choice for many. Cristopher Sanchez has also caught fire in recent weeks, while Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is a lurker in the pack as well.
- Paul Skenes (Pirates) - Reigning NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes is the favorite once again to win the big one with odds of +230. Skenes has made a big impression so far with 63+ strikeouts in 2026.
- Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies) - Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez has been a surprise to many so far in 2026, but if he can continue his form, he is a good shout in the National League. Currently, Sanchez has thrown 80+ strikeouts and is just behind Skenes in the betting with odds of +250.
- Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) - The only BBWAA award missing from Shohei Ohtani’s cabinet is the Cy Young prize. So far this campaign, the Dodgers star has been solid, posting a .650 win percentage as a starting pitcher and 54+ strikeouts. Ohtani is the lurker in the pack, priced at +550 to be crowned the best pitcher in the NL.
What to evaluate when finding sportsbooks with MLB odds
Now that you know that traditional sportsbooks provide Cy Young odds, it is time to clue you in on how to find trusted betting sites. We have shared our selection criteria below, so the next time you are searching for a gambling website to join, evaluate the following features:
Licensing
You should ensure that you are only using licensed and regulated US betting sites. You can find the licensing information by reading the terms and conditions page or browsing to the bottom of the homepage. Also, double-check that real money sports betting is available in your state before joining any trusted platform.
Safety features
No one wants to have to worry about their private details being stolen while using sportsbooks. The best brands will have encrypted platforms with advanced safety features, including password-protected accounts, KYC checks and access to responsible gambling tools.
Betting markets
Of course, wagering on Cy Young winners is great, but there are also plenty of other MLB betting options, so check for brands that have comprehensive betting markets. These should include both pre-match and in-play betting for moneylines, player props, totals and spreads.
Bonuses and promos
The top sites will always look after bettors with a plethora of bonuses. These should include welcome offers, and existing bettors promos like free bets, cashback, parlay boosts, and match bonuses. You should also jot down the key terms and ensure that the bonus conditions are fair with reasonable wagering requirements.
Mobile wagering
The best brands will offer mobile wagering as well, with either dedicated mobile apps, a mobile-optimized website or both options. Double-check that the mobile platforms mirror the desktop version and include the same features, such as placing MLB futures bets, claiming bonuses, and contacting the support team.
Customer service
No one wants issues while wagering, so working customer service is a must. Ideally, there should be a mix of support options, ranging from instant support, like live chat and phone to online options such as social media and email. Spend time testing each method to see if the agents are friendly, knowledgeable and provide speedy responses.
Banking options
There should be diverse banking options available, and the banking platform must be encrypted. Payment methods for deposits and withdrawals should include debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers. There should be low minimum withdrawal limits, and all payments must be processed quickly.
A few tips to maximize your MLB futures betting
It is always exciting to wager on who will be the best pitcher in the MLB, but you should also be responsible. To give you a hand with your sports betting, below are a few tips to follow to maximize your time at gambling websites:
- Remember to submit your KYC documents (proof of ID and address) for account verification. Without these documents being approved, you will not be allowed to withdraw from the sportsbook.
- If claiming any bonuses, jot down the key terms so it becomes easier to track the wagering requirements, maximum bet limits and the validity periods.
- Like other MLB player props, betting on the Cy Young Award involves risk, especially with player injuries. Betting sites generally do not void bets if a pitcher gets injured, so ensure you keep your stakes to a minimum. For example, 2024 and 2025 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal got injured early in the 2026 season, and if you had a wager on him to complete the three-peat, your bet would be settled as a loss, as he is no longer in the running for the award.
- Always do your research before placing your wagers. When researching, keep an eye on player form, head-to-head records and the pitcher’s role in the team. Never bet on your favorites unless your research supports the potential bet.
- Keep an eye on how the BBWAA voters have scored in previous years, as this helps you understand which metrics they use. This information is available on the BBWAA website, plus the official MLB site, so keep an eye online for the ballot breakdown.
Conclusion - Always do your research before placing MLB Cy Young wagers
We have come to the end of our guide, and by now, you should have a clearer picture of how the best pitcher award is handed out and how to read and understand the Cy Young odds when betting at sportsbooks. As we shared, the top brands will always provide odds for every MLB futures, so it is important that you do your research before placing a bet or three.
If traditional sportsbooks are available in your state, then go ahead and browse the banners on this page for our recommended platforms to place your Cy Young wagers. All the best, and remember to keep your stakes low, as player injuries can shift the odds quickly!