Henry Roldán
After two months of the season, we can already compile a list of candidates for the Major League Cy Young Award, with the National League’s turn this time: a circuit where there are no clear favorites to win the award at the end of the season.
Without further ado, we present you with an analysis of who the old circuit’s Cy Young favorites are at the end of the month of May.
Favorites Cy Young in the National League after the month of May 2022
5. Pablo Lopez – Miami Marlins
Odds: +700
Pablo López is showing that the good performances of the last two seasons with the Marlins have not been by chance with another solid job on the mound. After 59 innings of work, the Venezuelan player is third in NL ERA at 1.83, while fifth in batting average allowed to opponents (.200) and FIP (2.94).
Lopez has also shown good control by giving up just 15 walks, is tied for seventh in WAR at 1.4 and eighth in K/9 at 9.31.
4. Zack Wheeler – Philadelphia Phillies
Odds: +1400
Zack Wheeler didn’t start the season well, but his recent Pitcher of the Month award for May suggests that the pitcher who placed second in last year’s NL Cy Young voting is back.
The Phillies right-hander leads the old circuit in FIP with 2.39 and has only been given two home runs in 51.1 innings of work, making him the league leader in HR/9 with 0.4. While his 3.16 ERA is far from the best, he’s tied for second in WAR at 1.7 and fourth in K/9 at 10.17.
3. Joe Musgrove – San Diego Padres
Odds: +400
In his second season with the Padres, right-hander Joe Musgrove is showing better numbers than in 2021. In nine starts this season, he remains undefeated at 5-0, is second in WAR among NL pitchers at 1.7 and is also second in walks at 11.
As if that were not enough, his FIP is the third best on the circuit with 2.71 and his ERA is the fourth best with 1.86 after 58 innings of work.
2. Sandy Alcantara – Miami Marlins
Odds: +600
If it weren’t for Corbin Burnes, Sandy Alcantara would be number one on our NL Cy Young list. In addition to being the pitcher with the most starts in the season with 11, he is the one who has worked the most innings in all of baseball with 74.2.
Despite that, his ERA is the second best in the old circuit at 1.81, his 1.8 WAR is the best among pitchers and rivals, whom he has struck out 71 times, barely hitting .190 against him.
1. Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers
Odds: +350
Although he doesn’t lead in many categories, Corbin Burnes, last season’s NL Cy Young, remains the top favorite to win this season with another flawless performance.
The Brewers starter is the leader in WHIP in the National with 0.820, something that speaks to his great control as he is second in walks given with 11. His 64.2 innings of work are third-most on tour, while he is second in K/9 average at 10.86, second in strikeouts at 78 and fifth in ERA at 1.95.
