When Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is healthy, there is no better pitcher in the world. The three-time Cy Young award winner has been absolutely lights out over the last six seasons. It should be no surprise that he is once again the favorite to win the NL Cy Young award. However, Kershaw made only 21 starts a year ago and if injuries limit him again then we could see another elite pitcher take the top pitcher honors this season. Here is a look at the best bets for the 2017 NL Cy Young futures.
The Favorite: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers +160
Odds To Win National League Cy Young Award: +160
Kershaw has posted a sub-2.15 ERA and a sub-0.92 WHIP in each of his last four seasons. No other pitcher has come even close to touching those numbers. Kershaw has elite stuff but he needs to be healthy in order to throw it. However, as we saw last season, he was far from healthy. Kershaw only made 21 starts last year, which makes it all the more impressive that the Dodgers were able to survive that. His back really bothered him.
He has looked good this spring with no setbacks to indicate that he will deal with injuries again this year. Kershaw is the sports betting favorite to win the Cy Young for a reason. However, it is still a case of buyer beware in the futures market with a chance that injuries could derail another promising campaign at any point.
Next In Line: Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals +500
Odds To Win National League Cy Young Award: +500
Scherzer is coming off an NL Cy Young award win in 2016. He could be in line to win the award if he can stay healthy and produce at an elite level once again. Scherzer posted 20 wins a year ago, along with a 2.96 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. The 32-year-old should still have more than enough juice left in the tank for another strong season.
One concern is the bullpen. The Nats bullpen struggled down the stretch of the season last year and now it seems even shakier. Case and point: the Nationals just announced their closer on Thursday. When it takes you this long in spring training to figure out who is closing games for you, that’s a problem. We could see some of Scherzer’s quality starts get blown. That could be a problem when it comes to the Cy Young race as it’s mostly stats-oriented.
The good news is the bats. When you factor in a potentially lethal Washington offense supporting him, it’s clear Scherzer could be in line for his second Cy Young award in as many seasons.
The Dark Horse: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets +1500
Odds To Win National League Cy Young Award: +1500
The 28-year-old deGrom has looked good for the most part this spring. He has put together a dominant 17:2 K/BB through 15.1 innings of spring work. A lot of experts are calling for him to break through with absolutely dominant numbers this season. With September elbow surgery firmly behind him, deGrom can focus on winning games and besting his numbers from a year ago. After posting a 3.04 ERA and 1.20 WHIP last season, look for deGrom to produce the best season of his career and potentially surprise as a dark horse sleeper pick for the NL Cy Young award.
Player To Avoid: Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs
Odds To Win National League Cy Young Award: +1200
Injuries and an aging arm have capped Arrieta’s potential for the 2017 season. He is still considered among the favorites to win the NL Cy Young award, but that likely won’t happen. Arrieta posted a 3.10 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP last season, but his strikeout numbers were down and so was his WAR. Arrieta isn’t even the best option to win the Cy Young on his own team with Jon Lester in front of him. All things considered, you are better off avoiding Arrieta when it comes to the NL Cy Young futures market. Look elsewhere with your bets.
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