MLB
Finding Betting Value in the Odds for the 2018 National League Cy Young Award
Max Scherzer is the clear favorite as of now, but which other players could push for the NL Cy Young?

Jacob deGrom, New York Mets

Odds: 12/1

The New York Mets' Jacob deGrom has had yet another phenomenal season, ranking second in fWAR (3.0) among qualified starters this season and posting an NL-best 1.49 ERA with the league's second-best FIP (1.94) in 72.1 innings.

His 33.9% strikeout rate is second only to Scherzer's mark, as is his strikeout rate-to-walk rate of 26.6%. That ability to whiff batters while not giving them free passes has helped him hold hitters to a .204 batting average so far this season and a WHIP of 1.04.

deGrom has always been good, but this has been, by far, his best season. In 2015, he made 30 starts and had a 2.54 ERA, 2.70 FIP and 2.92 xFIP, with an fWAR of 5.2. deGrom is already more than halfway to that fWAR, and he's been the stingiest pitcher in the league in terms of giving up homers, with a league-low home-runs-per-nine rate of 0.37.


His health seems to be fine and, if you're looking to bet on someone other than the favorite, deGrom is the best choice. He's pretty clearly the second-best pitcher in the National League so far this year.

Prev Next

Related News

Where to Find Betting Value at the Quarter Pole of the MLB Season

John Stolnis  --  Jun 7th, 2018

Fantasy Baseball: Is It Time to Sell Clayton Kershaw?

John Stolnis  --  Jun 7th, 2018

Fantasy Baseball: How To Take Advantage of This Season's Offensive Decline

John Stolnis  --  Jun 7th, 2018