Hiram Moreno
Half of the MLB season has already been played, and we can begin to get an idea of what might happen in the second half based on what has happened so far. Many players began the season as candidates for the American League Cy Young, but now the path has become much clearer and we have a clear look at who could contend for the award.
At JefeBet we bring you the bookies’ favorites to win the title, as well as a brief analysis of the season so far for each of them.
Top five candidates for the American League Cy Young in MLB 2022
Dylan Cease (+1100)
Dylan Cease had some time to adjust to life in the Major Leagues, but he has progressed year after year since his 2019 debut, and as a result, he is now in the running for the Cy Young Award, which seemed inconceivable earlier in the season.
The Chicago White Sox pitcher left for the All-Star Game break with a streak of nine consecutive starts allowing one or no runs, and his 2.15 ERA is the third lowest in the American League, although his high WHIP of 1.18 proves that there is still room for improvement.
Also supporting his cause is the fact that he has struck out 150 batters in 104.2 innings, which is the highest figure not only in his league, but in MLB overall.
Gerrit Cole (+900)
Someone who’s used to being among the Cy Young candidates year after year is Gerrit Cole, who is still looking for his first award. The Yankees’ starter is having a good season, but the competition he faces makes winning his first crown of this kind quite complicated.
In the American League, only Cease has struck out more batters than Cole, who records 147 strikeouts in 113.1 innings pitched, including 11 or more strikeouts in his last two starts. His WHIP of 0.98 is impressive as well, but his 3.02 ERA shows that Gerrit Cole has shown weaknesses in certain games this season.
Shohei Ohtani (+700)
The reigning American League MVP is attempting to defend his title as “Most Valuable Player” and his ability as a pitcher also sees him being included in the fight for the Cy Young. In this way, Ohtani could make history by winning both awards if he has a good second half of the season.
Shohei Ohtani has a 2.38 ERA in this 2022 MLB season and his 0.99 WHIP is also remarkable, but not as remarkable as his 35.4% strikeout percentage, which is outstanding considering he has only thrown 87.0 innings so far. Furthermore, his 123 strikeouts rank fifth in the American League.
Justin Verlander (+250)
It’s incredible that in the midst of 2022 we’re still talking about Justin Verlander as a Cy Young candidate, but the 39-year-old veteran proved that his arm still has what it takes to perform at the highest level in the majors and is currently seeking his third Cy Young award.
Verlanders’ 12 wins with the Astros are the most for a pitcher in all of MLB, and his 1.89 ERA is the second lowest in the American League. Verlander has conceded just 19 walks in 109.1 innings pitched, which has helped his WHIP to a subtle 0.88, second-best among all Cy Young candidates in the American League.
Shane McClanahan (+210)
Shane McClanahan has been a pitching masterpiece from the start of the MLB season until this All-Star Game break. The 25-year-old has been completely unhittable in his second season in the Major Leagues, and if he continues in this way, he will be the indisputable American League Cy Young Award winner.
McClanahan has allowed only 21 clean runs in 110.2 innings, and his 1.71 ERA and 0.80 WHIP are not just the best in the American League, but also in Major League Baseball, and his 147 strikeouts trail only Dylan Cease’s 150.
He has also pitched six or more innings in 12 consecutive starts, and if Kevin Cash allows him to continue in this fashion and doesn’t lose his mind with his strategies, McClanahan could take the honors.
