Kluber Still Getting Better Odds to Win 2019 AL Cy Young Than Chris Sale Despite Trade Rumors
- Corey Kluber is favored over Chris Sale to win the 2019 AL Cy Young
- Kluber has struggled in his first two spring starts and is being shopped in trade discussions with the Padres
- Who’s a better bet to win the AL Cy Young: Kluber or Sale?
Over the last five seasons, there hasn’t been a better pitcher in the American League than Corey Kluber. He has 83 wins, 1,228 strikeouts and two Cy Young awards to show for it, but that’s still not enough to keep his name out of trade discussions.
The #Indians and #Padres are reportedly discussing a possible trade involving Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer: https://t.co/C5wD1qhxBi pic.twitter.com/Qqdxml6d6y
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) March 19, 2019
Despite the speculation, Kluber’s average 2019 AL Cy Young odds are +300, the shortest on the board.
2019 American League Cy Young Odds
| Player | 2019 AL Cy Young Odds |
|---|---|
| Corey Kluber | +260 |
| Chris Sale | +325 |
| Luis Severino | +600 |
| Justin Verlander | +1400 |
| Blake Snell | +1600 |
*Odds taken on 03/21/19
His odds are slightly shorter than those of Chris Sale, but there’s plenty of reason to pause before purchasing a Kluber ticket.
Kluber’s Velocity is Down
Kluber’s 2018 season was a bit of an enigma. He racked up a career high 20 wins, despite posting mediocre metrics by his standards. He allowed the highest hard hit rate of his career and his swinging strike percentage was the lowest it’s been in five seasons.
The Corey Kluber velocity dip over the last few years is kinda interesting. pic.twitter.com/VfjQN7bCV2
— Justin Russo (@FlyByKnite) April 5, 2018
If that wasn’t bad enough, his average velocity decreased for the fourth straight year, and his final three regular season starts of 2018 produced some of the lowest velocity numbers of his career.
Spring Struggles
It may only be two starts, but so far this spring Kluber has done nothing to suggest he’s immune from regressing further.
He’s allowed eight runs and 12 hits, including two home runs, in just over seven innings of work, while struggling with his control.
N&N: Corey Kluber struggles in second spring start #indians https://t.co/SsXPNYQ2XD pic.twitter.com/YPpNJfzGY0
— Indians Report (@indians_fanly) March 18, 2019
It’s probably too early to hit the panic button, but while he’s off to a shaky start, Sale already looks like he’s in mid-season form.
Sale’s Breakthrough is Coming
The Red Sox ace dazzled in his spring debut, striking out seven over four scoreless innings.
Yeah.
Chris Sale looks ready. pic.twitter.com/MYheJ8xxvp— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) March 16, 2019
He’s still looking for his first career Cy Young, but with six straight top-5 finishes, it’s only a matter of time. Injury stints prevented 2018 from being the best year of his career, but he still managed career lows in ERA, WHIP and hits/9, while registering a personal best strikeout rate.
Chris Sale is throwing ??? tonight!
The @RedSox ace notches the fastest strikeout pitch by a starter in 2018 with this 100.3 mph heater to Daniel Palka. pic.twitter.com/d2WLeDWfTp
— #Statcast (@statcast) June 9, 2018
He was top-5 in hard hit rate and swinging strike percentage, and his 6.8 WAR was one of the highest among pitchers in baseball. While Kluber seems to be trending down, Sale is in the prime of his career and is a significantly better bet to take home this year’s AL Cy Young.
Pick: Chris Sale (+325)
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
