The 2026 MLB season is here, and few things in the sport are more exciting than watching an ace take over a game. Seeing pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes overpower lineups is what makes baseball so compelling.
With that in mind, it’s the perfect time to break down the Cy Young race and evaluate who could knock off the current top arms. In this article, we’ll highlight both a leading contender and a sleeper pick in each league.
If you’re looking for fresh value, you’re in the right place. Here’s why I believe we could see a new Cy Young winner in both the American and National League this season. Click here to review best MLB sportsbooks to place your bets.
2026 AL Cy Young Odds
All MLB odds used for these Cy Young predictions are current as of Tuesday, Mar. 24, and courtesy of BetOnline.
- Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (+225)
- Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox (+350)
- Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers (+1000)
- Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals (+1200)
- Hunter Brown, Houston Astros (+1400)
- Max Fried, New York Yankees (+1400)
- Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners (+1600)
- Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners (+1600)
- Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles (+2500)
- Dylan Cease, Toronto Blue Jays (+2500)
- Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays (+2800)
- Joe Ryan, Minnesota Twins (+2800)
- MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers (+2800)
All other players have odds of +3300 or longer.
Who Will Win AL Cy Young?
Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles (+2500)
Kyle Bradish is a compelling sleeper in the AL Cy Young race at +2500, thanks to his electric arsenal and ability to generate strikeouts at a high rate. When he’s at his best, he has the kind of stuff that can overpower hitters and produce top-tier results.
His importance to Baltimore can’t be overstated. If the Orioles are going to contend in a loaded AL East, they’ll need Bradish to anchor the rotation and deliver consistently at a high level.
That combination of talent and opportunity makes him an appealing longshot. At +2500, there’s plenty of value on a pitcher who has the tools to emerge as a serious contender.
The Betting Favorite: Skubal Goes For Three in a Row
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (+225)
Tarik Skubal heads into the 2026 season as the reigning two-time AL Cy Young winner and sits atop the odds board at +225. Following consecutive dominant seasons, he’s solidified his status as arguably the top pitcher in the game, pairing elite stuff with remarkable consistency.
The focus now shifts to whether he can complete a three-peat, especially with extra incentive in a contract year. There’s no doubt he has the ability to deliver another award-worthy campaign.
Still, the odds already account for that upside. At +225, there isn’t much betting value on a clear favorite. Despite his talent, it’s tough to justify investing at such a short price.
The Contender: Can Crochet Take the Throne?
Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox (+350)
Garrett Crochet opens the 2026 season near the top of the AL Cy Young market at +350, backed by a profile that’s built to contend. Much like Tarik Skubal, he combines elite strikeout production with the ability to handle significant innings, creating the foundation for a potential award-winning year. At peak form, he mixes overpowering stuff with outstanding ERA and WHIP metrics.
While his odds come in slightly longer than Skubal’s, the price still feels expensive. Given how unpredictable starting pitching can be, it’s tough to fully commit at that number.
Durability is another factor that can’t be ignored. Injuries are always a concern with pitchers, which adds another layer of risk. Even with his upside, the current odds don’t offer enough value to justify the investment.
The Longshot: Don’t Sleep on Gore
MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers (+2800)
MacKenzie Gore is an intriguing longshot in the AL Cy Young race at +2800, thanks to the flashes of dominance he’s already shown at the major league level. At his best, he has the kind of electric stuff that can overwhelm hitters and produce elite results.
We’ve seen that ceiling before, including a standout performance against the Phillies last season when he was nearly untouchable. That outing is a reminder of just how high his upside can be when everything is working.
Now in Texas, he’ll benefit from pitching in a more favorable environment, which could help elevate his consistency. If he puts it all together, Gore has the talent to outperform his odds and emerge as a serious contender.
2026 NL Cy Young Odds
- Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (+225)
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers (+500)
- Christopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies (+600)
- Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (+900)
- Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies (+1800)
- Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants (+1800)
- Freddy Peralta, New York Mets (+2200)
- Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (+2500)
- Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies (+2500)
- Eury Perez, Miami Marlins (+2500)
- Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers (+2500)
- Blake Snell, Los Angeles Dodgers (+2800)
- Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves (+2800)
All other players have odds of +3300 or longer.
Who Will Win NL Cy Young?
Eury Perez, Miami Marlins (+2500)
Eury Pérez is one of the most gifted young pitchers in baseball and offers serious upside in the NL Cy Young race at +2500. His raw talent jumps off the page, with the kind of electric arsenal that can dominate lineups when he’s in rhythm.
We saw that potential late last season, as he looked overpowering down the stretch and showed signs of putting everything together. If that version of Perez carries over into a full campaign, his numbers could quickly climb into elite territory.
Pitching in a favorable home park only strengthens his outlook, helping him limit damage and maximize his effectiveness. At +2500, there’s excellent value on a pitcher with this level of talent and upside.
The Betting Favorite: Will Skenes Repeat?
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (+225)
Paul Skenes is firmly in position to make a run at back-to-back NL Cy Young awards. With a deep pitch mix, overpowering stuff, and the stamina to log significant innings, he profiles as one of the most dominant arms in baseball. At his best, he can attack hitters in multiple ways and completely control a game.
His situation only strengthens his outlook. Pitching in a favorable ballpark and supported by a Pirates team on the rise, Skenes is well-positioned to post elite numbers while also benefiting from improved team success.
Everything lines up for another elite campaign, but the odds already reflect that. At +225, the price feels too steep, making it hard to find real value here.
The Contender: Can Sale Get Back on Track?
Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves (+900)
Chris Sale enters the 2026 season as a strong contender for the NL Cy Young at +900, and there’s little indication that his stuff has declined. When he’s healthy, he still features elite swing-and-miss ability and the kind of arsenal that can dominate opposing lineups.
That importance is magnified given Atlanta’s current situation. With both Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider dealing with injuries, the Braves will need to rely heavily on Sale to anchor the rotation and deliver consistent, high-level performances.
If he can handle that workload and stay effective deep into the season, the opportunity will be there. In a scenario where Sale leads a contender while putting up strong numbers, he has a legitimate path to winning the award.
The Longshot: Look Out For This Sleeper
Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee Brewers (+2500)
Jacob Misiorowski brings some of the most electric raw stuff in all of baseball, giving him the kind of upside that can’t be ignored in the NL Cy Young race. His arsenal is overpowering, with the ability to generate swings and misses at an elite rate when he’s in rhythm.
The only real question mark is workload. Whether he can handle enough innings to stack a full Cy Young-caliber season remains to be seen, and that uncertainty is the main factor holding him back.
Still, the talent is undeniable. If he gets the volume and puts it all together, the results could be dominant. At +2500, the price more than justifies taking a shot on that kind of ceiling.
Final Verdict: Target Longshots
When betting on Cy Young futures, the smarter approach is often to chase value rather than back the favorites. Starting pitching is one of the most unpredictable aspects of baseball, and over a full season, there are countless variables, especially injuries. These can quickly shift the landscape.
Even elite pitchers are vulnerable to missed time or performance dips, and it doesn’t take much to knock a frontrunner out of the race. That’s why investing in short odds on names like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes can be risky.
Instead, focusing on longer shots offers a better risk-reward balance. In a market this volatile, targeting upside at bigger prices gives you a stronger chance to capitalize on unexpected outcomes.
