American League Cy Young Power Rankings: Justin Verlander Tops List
The MLB season is a quarter-way through, and the American League Cy Young Award race is beginning to take shape, with Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander the consensus favorite to win for the third time.
Here are the current odds at BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel Sportsbooks.
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American League Cy Young Power Rankings
Justin Verlander, Houston Astros (+450 at BetMGM and FanDuel)
The 39-year-old veteran has surrendered just seven earned runs across eight starts en route to a sterling 6-1 record, 1.22 ERA, and 0.72 WHIP.
It’s been an incredible return after missing nearly two entire years of action due to a forearm strain that ultimately required Tommy John surgery. Verlander currently ranks tied for the MLB lead in WAR for pitchers.
Key Statistic: Verlander sports a league-low 4.88 hits per nine innings.
Question Mark: Can Verlander become the third oldest Cy Young Award winner in history behind Roger Clemens (42) and Gaylord Perry (40)?
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays (+650 at Caesars)
Long on potential and short on results through the first eight seasons of his career, Gausman has followed up his breakout 2021 campaign in style this season with the Jay Birds. He’s allowed three runs or fewer in each of his nine starts while ranking third in innings pitched and 10th in strikeouts per nine innings.
Key Statistic: Gausman leads the league with just 0.80 walks per nine innings.
Question Mark: Will the mighty AL East catch up to Gausman as the season progresses?
Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays (+900 at BetMGM and FanDuel)
In his sophomore season, the 25-year-old southpaw has continued to miss bats in bunches while also scattering just 12 free passes across 52.1 innings through his nine starts.
McClanahan has also been better of late, with just a single run allowed over his past three outings while fanning 27 batters and walking three through 20 innings.
Key Statistic: The lefty’s 1.88 xFIP and 74 strikeouts pace the majors.
Question Mark: Do the conservative Rays let McClanahan pitch more than 150 innings after throwing just 123.1 last season?
Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees (+900 at FanDuel)
After finishing second in Cy Young voting for the second time in his career last season, Cole has been inconsistent to start the 2022 season, including allowing five earned runs to the Baltimore Orioles in his most recent start.
Still, the veteran remains in the Cy Young mix with a respectable 3.31 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 62:12 K:BB line for the campaign.
Key Statistic: Cole’s recorded a promising 50:5 K:BB through his past six starts.
Question Mark: With four-plus seasons of elite numbers in the American League, is this the season he’s finally named the AL Cy Young winner?
Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays (+1100 at FanDuel)
With two earned runs or fewer allowed in each of his eight outings this season, Manoah has been as reliable as any starter in the league.
He also boasts the second-best ERA and fifth lowest WHIP in the majors. His statistics might be even better if Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo let him pitch deeper into games.
Key Statistic: Manoah’s 2.9% barrel percentage is tied for second-lowest in the majors.
Question Mark: Do the lack of strikeouts, and a potential innings limit hurt the likelihood Manoah remains a contender for the Cy Young throughout the entire season?
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