Cy Young Odds & Favorites 2025: Skubal, Skenes Our Front as Favorites

Rising Detroit Tigers starter Tarik Skubal will be looking to defend his Cy Young crown in the AL this season, and he enters as the favorite on that side in the Cy Young odds.

Skubal and new Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet are far ahead of the field in the AL at +425 and +700, respectively. However, the likes of Gerrit Cole (+1400) and Jacob deGrom (+1500) have made charges up the oddsboard before.

Speaking of fast-rising youngsters, Paul Skenes (+250) is the clear favorite in the NL, with Zack Wheeler (+800) and Chris Sale (+1100) ready to challenge.

Let's take a closer look at the early Cy Young odds from our best MLB betting sites.

Odds to win American League Cy Young 2025

AL Cy Young odds analysis

Jan. 20, 2025: Skubal put together a campaign for the ages, capturing the pitching Triple Crown in the AL and helping lead his Tigers to a magical postseason run. He was unanimously voted as the AL Cy Young Award winner as a result.

Now he's the heavy favorite to repeat while sitting at +425 odds, well ahead of new Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet, who sits at +700.

There's a chasm separating those two from the field. Skubal's price leads to an implied win probability of 19.05%, while Crochet rests at 12.50%, and then Cole Ragans is far back in third while getting a 7.69% chance at +1200 odds.

Odds to win National League Cy Young 2025

NL Cy Young odds analysis

Jan. 20, 2025: The flamethrowing Skenes was a force as a rookie.

He was a contender in this market for a while before settling for taking the MLB Rookie of the Year odds. Skenes struck out 170 batters over just 133 innings, leading to an 11.5 K/9. That effectiveness is a significant reason why he's the MLB strikeouts leader odds favorite heading into a new season.

He wasn't just a punchout artist either, as Skenes suppressed offense to the tune of a 1.96 ERA.

Eventually last season the chatter around Skenes for Cy Young faded as Chris Sale pulled away late in the campaign, with the rookie ultimately finishing third in Cy Young voting. Sale also bested Zack Wheeler, the imposing Philadelphia Phillies hurler who now becomes arguably the best active pitcher without a Cy Young Award on his mantle.

Those two begin their pursuit of Skenes in 2025, who's the favorite while getting +250 odds, which have become shorter recently after he was listed at +350 earlier in the offseason. There's a wide gap between him and Wheeler at +800, and then Sale sits at +1100. The dropoff in implied probability is significant, with Skenes sitting at 28.57% and Sale at 8.33%.

AL Cy Young odds history

NL Cy Young odds history

How to bet on the MLB Cy Young 

When betting on the Cy Young pick a reputable sportsbook offering Cy Young futures. Check the odds for various pitchers; for instance, if Pitcher A has +300 odds and Pitcher B has +800, Pitcher A is favored to win.

Decide how much to wager and place your bet. If you bet $100 on Pitcher A at +300 and they win, you’ll get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on pitcher performances throughout the season to gauge how your bet is shaping up.

Remember, if a pitcher performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the pitcher or competitors can significantly impact their Cy Young chances.

The success of the pitcher's team can also influence their odds. Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one pitcher, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk.

Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds.

Understanding these factors helps you make informed bets and potentially capitalize on favorable odds movements.

How to read MLB Cy Young odds

Odds are typically shown in a format like +300 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +300) indicate how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet.

For example, a $100 bet at +300 odds would win you $300, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $400. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.

These odds also reflect the implied probability of a pitcher winning the Cy Young Award. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood. 

For example, if Pitcher A has +300 odds and Pitcher B has +800 odds, Pitcher A is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Pitcher A and they win, you'd get $400 back ($300 profit + $100 stake).

Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like pitcher performance, injuries, team success, and betting patterns. Understanding these odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.

MLB Cy Young FAQs

Who are the Cy Young award odds favorites?

Tarik Skubal is the favorite in the AL while getting +425 odds, which leads to an implied probability of 19.05%.

Meanwhile, Paul Skenes is the front-runner in the NL while receiving +250 odds, leading to a probability of 28.57%.

Who won the Cy Young awards last year?

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers won the American League Cy Young award in 2024.

Atlanta Braves southpaw Chris Sale took home the award for the National League.

When will the Cy Young winners be announced?

The 2024 Cy Young Award winners were announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

How does Cy Young voting work?

The Cy Young awards are given out based on the voting from members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Writers from NL cities vote for the NL Cy Young, and the same is true for AL writers. In total, there are 30 votes tied to each award, with one representative from each team.

Writers submit their ballots before the beginning of the posteason. They rank their top-five selections, and points are given in descending order (first place gets seven points, second place gets four, third place gets three, fourth place gets two, and fifth place gets one). The player with the most points wins. In the event of a tie, the award is shared. 

Who has won the most Cy Young awards?

Roger Clemens, seven, won more Cy Young awards than any other pitcher in MLB history. Randy Johnson, five, is second on the all-time list.

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