Ryu’s NL Cy Young Odds Fading After Allowing 14 Runs in Last 2 Starts

• Hyun-Jin Ryu was considered a lock for Cy Young
• Does Max Scherzer provide value?
• See the odds for the NL Cy Young race

Hyun-Jin Ryu has been dominant this season. For the Los Angeles Dodgers, as of September 2, he is 12-5 with a 2.35 ERA, while throwing one complete game shutout. His WHIP is a very impressive 1.023, so it is clear why he is the favorite to win the NL Cy Young. Yet, as of late, in his last two starts, he has struggled, allowing 14 runs. With that, the NL Cy Young Odds have changed as he is slowly losing his stake as the favorite with Max Scherzer closing the gap.

NL Cy Young Odds

*All Odds Taken 02/09/19

Is Ryu Worth Betting?

There is no question Ryu is struggling as of late. He has pitched 157.1 innings, which is the most he has pitched since his rookie year in 2013, when he tossed 192 innings. He had a bigger workload this season and ran with it, but as of late, the extra work may very well have caught up to him.

In September, the Dodgers can be smart and have him only start two games, with an expanded roster, they don’t need to put him out there every fifth day. But, the struggle is a concern, but for Ryu he thinks he just needs to make some small changes.

“I think the hitters’ approach in general has caught up to how I used to pitch so I think there is a need for a change from my end to get ahead in the game again,” Ryu said to the LA Times. “I think that’s one change that has to come, I don’t think my command was as bad as the last two games that I pitched. But I guess, result-wise, it wasn’t there for me.”

Even if Ryu only has a few more starts, at +150 the value is still there on the right-hander to win the Cy Young. He has been dominant this season and two bad starts do not ruin that. So, with the odds starting to shrink, I think now is the time to put some money on Ryu at +150.

Pick: Ryu (+150)

Does Scherzer have Value?

Even though I think it is worth laying some money on Ryu, Max Scherzer still has value on him at +175. He has a 2.46 ERA and a 1.016 WHIP while throwing 142.2 innings. Yet, something going against the 34-year-old is his record. I know records is not a stat you should base success off of, but voters often look at that. He is just 9-5 this season on a very good Washington National team leaves something to be desired.

However, if Scherzer goes out in September and puts up two to three wins in quality starts, and Ryu’s struggles continue, we could very well be looking at the Cy Young winner. But, as of right now, I think Ryu has done just a tad more and will most likely be the Cy Young winner, but at +175 there is value on him.

Is Anyone else Worth Betting?

Really it is a two-man race between Ryu and Scherzer, so those are the only pitchers worth betting, but if Soroka and Strasburg have good Septembers, they could close the gap on the odds. But, for now, the only people who are worth betting and have value are Hyun-Jin Ryu and Max Scherzer.