Jacob deGrom favored to win third straight NL Cy Young
Jacob deGrom delivers a pitch. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)
February 27th, 2020
New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom is currently the +260 betting favorite to win the 2020 National League Cy Young Award.
He is going for his third win in as many years, which would put him in elite company. Only Hall of Famers Greg Maddux (1992-1995) and Randy Johnson (1999-2002) have won three or more Cy Young Awards in a row.
So can deGrom pull off the rare feat? Let's crunch his numbers, and those of his competition, to uncover the smartest wager in this market.
Odds to win the NL Cy Young Award
| Pitcher | Cy Young Odds |
|---|
Jacob deGrom | +260 |
Max Scherzer | +400 |
Walker Buehler | +800 |
Jack Flaherty | +900 |
Stephen Strasburg | +1200 |
Jacob deGrom was phenomenal in 2018 and 2019
He authored a 1.70 ERA and 0.912 WHIP two years ago, but those numbers climbed to 2.43 and 0.971, respectively, in 2019. He looked a little lost in the early part of last year but was exceptional over his final 23 starts (1.89 ERA). He did not lead the NL in ERA in 2019 (Hyun-Jin Ryu had a 2.32 mark in three fewer starts), but he did pace the senior circuit in strikeouts (255).
No surprise here, but Jacob deGrom says he's ready for Opening Day right now. pic.twitter.com/xJx49JLSTu
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 25, 2020
Max Scherzer is still lurking
As strong as deGrom’s numbers are, there is competition breathing down his neck, namely from three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer (+400). Last year the Nationals’ rotation anchor failed to make at least 30 starts for the first time since 2008, his rookie season, because of a nagging back injury.
Scherzer’s 11-7 record and 2.92 ERA from 2019 don’t look too impressive, but his 2.45 FIP (fielding independent pitching) suggests he was unlucky on balls put in play. His 7.36 strikeout-walk ratio from last year was the best in the MLB. With a little luck, he could overtake deGrom in 2020.
Today is February 22 and we already have footage of Max Scherzer stomping around the mound after a strikeout.#Scherzday // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/kHW4IrirrN
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) February 22, 2020
Jack Flaherty is worth a look
A live longshot to look out for this season is Jack Flaherty (+900). The 23-year-old’s sublime second-half performance (7-2, 0.91 ERA in 15 starts) helped guide the Cardinals to a division title a year ago.
Flaherty’s 0.968 WHIP and 6.2 hits per nine innings were good enough to lead the NL in 2019. He may not be able to replicate what he did from July to September, but a slight improvement on his 11-8 record and 2.75 ERA from 2019 is possible, and that could propel him to his first Cy Young victory.
Opening Day is just around the corner! Wager on MLB futures now at BetAmerica.
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