Cy Young Picks – Syndication Server

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Our 2020 MLB award previews at SportsbookWire continue with a look at the National League Cy Young. NL pitchers won’t be required to hit in the shortened 2020 season, meaning they’ll each need to face a designated hitter every time through the opponent’s batting order. Below, we make our picks and best bets to win the 2020 NL Cy Young Award.

2020 NL Cy Young best bets: Favorite

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday, July 11 at 2:35 p.m. ET.

Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (+450)

Scherzer leads all National League pitchers with an average of 12.60 strikeouts per nine innings in the first half of the season since 2017. His 2.30 first-half ERA ranks third over the last three season and his 129 1/3 innings pitched are the most of all starters.

Scherzer has three career Cy Young Awards, including back-to-back wins in 2016 and 2017. He hasn’t finished outside of the top five in voting since 2012 while still with the Detroit Tigers in the American League. His odds are nearly twice as high as those of reigning back-to-back winner Jacob deGrom (+280).

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on Scherzer (+450) to win the NL Cy Young would return a profit of $45. The same bet on deGrom fetches a return of just $28.

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2020 NL Cy Young best bets: Contender

Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers (+3300)

I’ve been down on Hader as a 2020 Fantasy Baseball target, but his versatility and importance out of the Brewers bullpen could have him in the running for the 2020 NL Cy Young in a season expected to shake up conventional pitcher roles.

Hader ranked ninth among all Brewers pitchers with 75 2/3 innings pitched last year. Top-two starters Zach Davies and Chase Anderson left this offseason. De facto No. 1 starter Brandon Woodruff tossed just 121 2/3 frames in his breakout 2019 campaign.

Hader went 3-5 with 37 saves last year. He enters the 2020 campaign as the Brewers’ closer, but he could also make some starts as an opener this year. The modified extra-inning rules, which will see each team start every half-inning with a runner on second base, could give Hader more win opportunities this season.

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2020 NL Cy Young best bets: Long shot

Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks (+5000)

Ray ranks second to Scherzer with an 11.78 strikeout rate over the first half of the last three seasons. He finished 2019 with a 4.34 ERA but a career-best 12.13 K/9. He even cut down on his walk rate from 2018.

He’s the incumbent ace of an improved Diamondbacks team entering the season. SP Madison Bumgarner was signed in free agency, and his experience could help Ray, who enters just his sixth full season.

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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.

Baseball season is finally here! Get some action on the 2020 season with an MLB futures bet at BetMGM in NJ, IN, CO and WV. Bet now!

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.