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Max Scherzer Odds-On Favorite to Win NL Cy Young Award After Going Undefeated in June

Ryan Bolta

by Ryan Bolta in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 6, 2020 · 2:35 PM PDT

Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer has won the Cy Young three different times. Photo By By Keith Allison (Flickr) [CC License]
  • Hyun-Jin Ryu was named the starter for the National League in the All-Star Game
  • Max Scherzer has won the Cy Young three different times, capturing the award in both the AL & the NL
  • Scherzer has 181 K which is 43 more than any other pitcher in the National League

While the American League appears to have five candidates, the 2019 Cy Young odds in the National League are telling an entirely different story.

2019 NL Cy Young Odds

Pitcher Odds
Max Scherzer -200
Hyun-Jin Ryu +160
Luis Castillo +1000
Walker Buehler +1200
Zack Greinke +2200

*Odds taken 7/9/19

A quick look at the odds and you’ll see it’s a two pitcher race between Max Scherzer of the Nationals and Hyun-Jin Ryu of the Dodgers. I’m willing to take it a step further and announce that Scherzer is winning the award for the fourth time in his career and here’s why.

Dominant Stats Separate Scherzer

The wins and losses look great for many of the top starters in the NL, as do some of the other numbers, but nobody puts together a total package quite like Scherzer.

He has ten wins which is one shy of the NL lead and his 2.30 ERA ranks third, but it’s his strikeout totals that leave his competition in the rearview mirror. Scherzer has 180 K’s this year, which is 43 more than the next best pitcher in the AL.

While Scherzer may not play on a powerhouse like the Dodgers, the Nationals are still racking up wins and currently sit in a playoff position. Unless Washington falls off the pace, expect them to be competitive enough to give their ace enough attention to win this award.

Is Ryu Fading After Terrific Start to the Season?

Ryu was named the starter for the NL in the All-Star Game thanks to an incredible start to the year but slowly he’s starting to regress to what you expected. In his last five starts he’s combined to allow 32 hits. His ERA is still sitting at a major league best 1.73, but if he continues to allow base runners at that clip that number will swell in a hurry.

Ryu has had an amazing season and this isn’t to suggest he will totally fall apart, but to rip the award from Scherzer’s grasp you need an almost perfect campaign. Considering he’s only offering +160 odds, I’m much more comfortable paying the price and taking the three-time winner of the award.

As for dark horse candidates, there really aren’t any considering the gap in the numbers at the mid-summer classic. With that in mind, don’t overthink it and pay the price before it gets even tougher to swallow.

Pick: Max Scherzer (-200)

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