New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole might have locked up the American League Cy Young award with his Thursday start.
Going against a legit playoff contender in the Toronto Blue Jays, Cole dominated for eight innings, giving up just two hits and a run and striking out nine foes.
His ERA went down to 2.75 in 200 innings, with 217 punchouts.
Cole also took his record to 14-4 in the process, and while he should have another start left or maybe two, he is starting to gain separation from the competition.
That’s what the odds say, anyway, per FOX Sports: MLB.
Take a look at the updated AL Cy Young odds 👀
Who's your pick to win? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/61t8KNUY1w
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) September 22, 2023
Cole is a -2000 favorite to take home the first AL Cy Young award of his career, one that he probably deserved in 2019 and 2021.
Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo comes in with the second best odds at +1000.
He is having a rock-solid season with the M’s, and is trying to lead them to the postseason for the second consecutive year.
Castillo has the fourth-best ERA in the American League at 3.06, and has pitched 188.1 frames with 207 strikeouts.
Sonny Gray (+2500) has been the best and most consistent hurler in a playoff-caliber Minnesota Twins rotation, with a 2.84 ERA in 174 innings.
Castillo’s teammate George Kirby has the fourth-best odds of winning the award, at +15000.
He is the king of control, with an elite 18/161 BB/K ratio and a solid 3.58 ERA.
He has been good from a run-prevention standpoint, just not elite as Cole, Gray, and Castillo.
Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez completes the top five at +15000 odds.
In the end, it’s Cole’s award to lose and it’s highly unlikely he does.
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