NL Cy Young 2024 Odds Update and Betting Advice: Zack Wheeler is the Favorite, But Shōta Imanaga is a Smart Play

The MLB season is heating up, and players are already separating themselves from the pack. Who is the current favorite to win the NL Cy Young? Who has an excellent chance to make a run at the award? Take a look at the odds.

2024 NL Cy Young Odds

Zack Wheeler is the current favorite to win the NL Cy Young Award, with Dodgers southpaw Tyler Glasnow not far behind. Check out the odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

PlayerOdds
Zack Wheeler+230
Tyler Glasnow+470
Dylan Cease+1000
Freddy Peralta+1200
Sonny Gray+1200
Shota Imanaga+1500
Logan Webb+1600
Yoshinobu Yamamoto+1600
Zac Gallen+2000
Ranger Suarez+2000
Aaron Nola+3000
Hunter Greene+4000
Max Fried+4000
Nick Lodolo+4500
Chris Sale+6000
Jared Jones+6000
MacKenzie Gore+8000
Jordan Hicks+8000
Reynaldo Lopez+8000
Brandon Pfaadt+10000
Luis Severino+10000
Justin Steele+10000
Charlie Morton+10000
Jordan Montgomery+10000

Zack Wheeler is the Frontrunner

Zack Wheeler NL Cy Young Odds
Oct 9, 2023; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) is pulled from the game during the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the NLDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Zack Wheeler is the heavy favorite after the first week of May, thanks to his stellar 1.91 ERA in seven starts this season. Wheeler also has a 2.61 FIP and is striking opposing hitters out at a 30.6 percent rate. The veteran Phillies ace is on pace for the best season of his career, and that’s impressive, considering he’s posted an ERA north of three only once in his previous four seasons with the team.

We rarely see players live up to the money these days, but Wheeler’s five-year, $118 million deal that he signed with Philadelphia in 2020 has been one of those cases. Wheeler’s 3.06 ERA in four seasons (629.1 IP) with Philly earned him a fresh three-year extension this spring worth $126 million, a much-deserved raise that Wheeler is living up to this season.

Could Shōta Imanaga Be a Sleeper?

Shōta Imanaga Cubs NL Cy Young Odds
Apr 1, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga (18) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

On FanDuel Sportsbook, Shōta Imanaga is +1500 odds. That means a $100 bet on him to win the National League MVP would win $1500. We believe there is some value there, and here’s why.

If you thought Zack Wheeler’s start to the season was impressive, you haven’t been paying attention to Imanaga’s sizzling start. Imanaga has a 0.78 ERA in six starts for the Cubs this year and a 2.23 FIP.

Imanaga has struck out 35 hitters (9.09 K/9) and has only walked four. Yes, four. He’s also only allowed three earned runs all season and has been undoubtedly the best pitcher on the Cubs. Get your Shōta bets in now while he’s at +1500 because that’s going to shrink, and if anyone has a chance to overtake Zack Wheeler, an international star in his rookie MLB season playing for the Cubs, who are in first place in the NL Central right now, has a good shot at being that guy.

What About Pirates Rookie Jared Jones?

Pirates Rookie Jared Jones is a longer shot than Imanaga, but at +6000, it might be worth the play. Jones has a 2.63 ERA in seven starts for the Pirates and strikes opposing hitters out at a 34 percent rate. His walk rate is also super low, at just 3.2 percent.

Remember to Compare Odds

As always, be sure to compare odds and lines from the top sportsbooks before making your bets. When it comes to future bets, you might have some significant differences. For example, Bryce Harper might be +2000 on one sportsbook but +2500 on the other. The +2500 is a better bet because you would win more.

This is one of the best things about online sports betting. You don’t have to stick to just one sportsbook. You can shop around for lines, odds, promo codes, and more.

written by

Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

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