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The 2020 MLB season is rapidly approaching as teams are currently working through camp ahead of the July 23 start. The American League has plenty of quality starting pitchers across the board, led by SP Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees. Below, we break down the best bets to win the 2020 AL Cy Young award with targets from all tiers.
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2020 AL Cy Young best bets: Favorite
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, July 14 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
New York Yankees SP Gerrit Cole (+265)
It’s easy to see why Cole is the heavy favorite to win the Cy Young award this year. He was arguably the best pitcher in the American League last year despite finishing second in the voting to Houston Astros teammate Justin Verlander. His 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts both led the AL last season, going 20-5 for the Astros.
With the Yankees’ offense expected to pace the majors, Cole will get ample run support to drive up his win total, while his ERA should remain low once again. He’s set up better than just about every pitcher in the league.
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2020 AL Cy Young best bets: Contenders
Houston Astros SP Justin Verlander (+600)
Verlander will try to become the latest pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young awards after taking home the hardware last season. He led the majors in wins, starts and WHIP. Assuming the Astros can avoid the distractions that are sure to come with their sign-stealing scandal, they should once again be in World Series contention.
Verlander also benefited from the season being pushed back because he would’ve missed some time due to a groin injury had it started in April. And with Cole out of the picture in Houston, Verlander will garner a lot of attention from voters in that rotation.
Cleveland Indians SP Shane Bieber (+1100)
Bieber broke out in a big way last season, going 15-8 with a 3.28 ERA and two complete-game shutouts. His 1.68 walks per nine innings was also tops in the league, helping him finish fourth in 2019 AL Cy Young voting. As the ace in Cleveland with Cory Kluber and Trevor Bauer gone, all eyes will be on the young Bieber.
Tampa Bay Rays SP Tyler Glasnow (+1200)
Glasnow was off to a red-hot start in 2019 before suffering an injury that caused him to miss most of the summer. He won his first six starts and opened the year at 6-1 with a 1.86 ERA, 55 strikeouts and only nine walks through 48 1/3 innings. If he can bounce back and stay healthy, Glasnow should be one of the top contenders for the Cy Young award. He has the stuff to win around 10 games in this shortened season.
2020 AL Cy Young best bets: Long shot
Minnesota Twins SP Jose Berrios (+2500)
Berrios was an All-Star for the second year in a row last season, going 14-8 with a 3.68 ERA and 195 strikeouts. Playing at the pitcher-friendly Target Field helps keep the ball in the yard for Berrios, and with his nasty stuff, he’s sure to approach 9 K/9 again in 2020.
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