Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers has performed at a ridiculous level in the National League. There is no doubt that he will be the favorite to win the NL Cy Young award if he stays healthy. Meanwhile, in the American League, it seems like the competition for the Cy Young award will be more intriguing with at least a handful of quality options.
The start of the 2017 MLB season is this Sunday, so if you’re looking at betting on baseball futures, now is the time to do it. A lot of them will get pulled off the board once the first pitch is thrown. With that in mind, here is a look at the best bets for the 2017 AL Cy Young futures.
The Favorite: Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox
Odds To Win American League Cy Young Award: +400
Sale registered 17 wins along with a 3.34 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with the Chicago White Sox last season. The Red Sox feel he is the elite ace that can put them over the top this season. Sale will have every opportunity to improve his numbers in Boston this season with a legitimate shot to top 20 wins. The 28-year-old is in the prime of his career. When he’s on his game, he’s one of the most dominant pitchers around. With a loaded Red Sox offense supporting him, he is the obvious sports betting favorite to win the AL Cy Young award.
Next In Line: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
Odds To Win American League Cy Young Award: +500
Kluber’s 3.14 ERA was the fourth-best mark in the AL last season and his 18 wins trailed only Toronto’s J.A. Happ and Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello of the Red Sox. Kluber posted an elite 1.06 WHIP and he has been a model of consistency for Cleveland over the last two seasons. Kluber should be in line for another strong season in 2017. Like Sale, he will have a potent offense helping him rack up the wins. Kluber might not be the favorite to win the award but he might be the most likely to upset Sale and take home the AL Cy Young.
The Dark Horse: Aaron Sanchez, Toronto Blue Jays
Odds To Win American League Cy Young Award: +1200
All Sanchez did last season was lead the AL with 3.00 ERA. Another year removed from Tommy John surgery, Sanchez will have every opportunity to best the impressive numbers he put up for Toronto last season. Sanchez went 15-2 with an impressive 1.17 WHIP in 2016. He should make more starts in 2017, even if he opens the year at the back end of the Blue Jays rotation. Toronto has been largely overlooked as a World Series contender heading in to this year but they have the talent to contend. At +1200 odds, Sanchez is a quality dark horse candidate to win the AL Cy Young award this season.
Player To Avoid: David Price, Boston Red Sox
Odds To Win American League Cy Young Award: +1000
There is no doubt that Price is the one pitcher you most want to avoid in terms of AL Cy Young futures. First, Price is coming off a disappointing season with the Red Sox in which he posted a 3.99 ERA. Second, Price is dealing with an injured elbow that could keep him out all of April and perhaps even longer.
With these types of injuries, you never know what to expect. Is it possible that it’s just some discomfort as he’s indicated? Yes. Is it possible that it’s benign as the doctors have said? Of course. What’s likely is that he could lose a little bit of velocity and that would be a big blow. The bottom line is he’s not throwing right now and you don’t want to be sitting with 10/1 odds wondering.
While the club has said they expect him to pitch this season, there is no guarantee that Price’s arm holds up for the entire year. With so many other excellent options on the board, it makes sense to completely avoid Price in terms of AL Cy Young futures markets.
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