MLB AL Cy Young Award Odds (2026)

The following post features MLB AL Cy Young Award Odds (2026).

The 2026 MLB AL Cy Young odds serve as a real-time barometer for the American League’s premier pitching talent, reflecting how sportsbooks value each ace’s path to the award.

Read: MLB NL Central Division Odds

Related: MLB NL East Division Odds

 Beyond the betting lines, the race ultimately comes down to who can sustain elite ERA and strikeout metrics while handling the heavy workload expected of a true staff leader.

So, how is the AL Cy Young Award race shaping up for 2026? Here’s what you need to know.

MLB AL Cy Young Award Odds (2026)

Below is a table displaying the odds for the MLB AL Cy Young Award Odds (2026). Click here for the very latest odds (via OddsChecker).

Top Contenders (2026)

Tarik Skubal

Tarik Skubal heads into 2026 as the favorite for a historic third straight AL Cy Young after another masterful 2025 season that saw him claim back-to-back awards, posting an elite ERA around 2.20, a league-leading WHIP near 0.90, and over 240 strikeouts while anchoring Detroit’s rotation. The left-hander’s devastating changeup—widely regarded as baseball’s most valuable pitch—paired with improved velocity and command continued to baffle hitters, generating massive whiff rates and weak contact. Despite trade rumors swirling around his final year before free agency, Skubal’s consistency and dominance on a contending Tigers squad make him the clear pitcher to beat if he maintains his ace-level production and accumulates the wins.

Garrett Crochet

Garrett Crochet established himself as an elite ace in 2025 after his trade to Boston, finishing as Cy Young runner-up with a sparkling 2.59 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and an MLB-leading 255 strikeouts over 205+ innings, earning All-Star honors and proving his full transition to starter. His electric fastball-slider combo and improved durability generated elite swing-and-miss stuff, helping the Red Sox contend while he posted strong win totals. Entering 2026 locked into Boston’s rotation with a long-term extension, Crochet’s strikeout prowess and command refinements position him as Skubal’s top challenger for the award with another high-volume, dominant campaign.

Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom delivered a welcome return to form in 2025, making a career-high 30 starts for the first time since 2019 and posting a strong 2.97 ERA with 185 strikeouts and a sub-1.00 WHIP over 172 innings, reminding everyone of his two-time Cy Young pedigree. The veteran right-hander’s filthy slider and fastball still produced swings and misses, even with slightly diminished velocity, while his durability boosted the Rangers’ staff. Heading into 2026 fully healthy on Texas’ contending roster, deGrom’s pinpoint control and proven upside make him a high-ceiling contender to reclaim Cy Young hardware if he builds on this workload and sharpens his stuff further.

Cole Ragans

Cole Ragans solidified his breakout status in 2025 for the Royals, delivering consistent quality starts with a sub-3.50 ERA, over 200 strikeouts, and strong underlying metrics from his diverse arsenal led by a high-velocity fastball and devastating changeup. The left-hander handled a full workload reliably, contributing to Kansas City’s push while inducing weak contact and groundballs at elite rates. Entering 2026 as a cornerstone of the Royals’ rotation under his extension, Ragans’ improving command and whiff ability project him for even better results, positioning him as a dark horse to surge into the Cy Young race with sustained excellence.

Hunter Brown

Hunter Brown emerged as a frontline starter in 2025 for the Astros, earning All-Star honors and finishing third in Cy Young voting with a breakout performance featuring a low-3.00 ERA, elite hard-hit suppression, and rising strikeouts in a full season of dominance. The right-hander’s powerful sinker-slider mix generated groundballs and limited damage, helping Houston contend while he racked up quality starts. Heading into 2026 as the Astros’ ace-in-waiting, Brown’s stuff refinements and ability to miss bats make him a prime contender to build on this ascent and challenge for the award with a repeat elite campaign.

AL Cy Young Dark Horses (2026)

Beyond the top contenders for the 2026 AL Cy Young, several intriguing dark horses at long odds could emerge as surprise challengers with breakout seasons or returns to form. Trey Yesavage (+3000) tops the list as Toronto’s rising phenom, fresh off a strong rookie 2025 where he posted a 3.12 ERA and 180 strikeouts in 160 innings, flashing a devastating curveball and mid-90s heat that could vault him into ace territory if the Blue Jays’ young core provides better support. Sonny Gray (+3500) offers veteran savvy for the Red Sox, rebounding in 2025 with a 3.28 ERA and 190 strikeouts over 185 innings despite injury tweaks, and at 36, his pinpoint command and slider could deliver another All-Star caliber year if he stays healthy on Boston’s competitive squad. Tatsuya Imai (+4000), the Japanese import joining the Astros, brings MLB-ready stuff after dominating NPB with a sub-2.50 ERA last season, and his splitter-slider combo projects for immediate impact with 200+ strikeouts if he adapts quickly to American hitters. Casey Mize (+5000) represents Detroit’s redemption story, building on a solid 2025 (3.45 ERA, 165 Ks in 170 innings) with improved velocity and a nasty splitter, positioning him to thrive as the Tigers’ No. 2 behind Skubal in a playoff push. Finally, longshot Connelly Early (+15000) is the ultimate sleeper for the Red Sox, a 25-year-old lefty who dazzled in limited 2025 action (2.89 ERA, 85 Ks in 75 innings) with elite whiff rates from his fastball-changeup mix; a full rotation spot could see him explode for 150+ strikeouts and a sub-3.00 ERA, crashing the Cy Young party if Boston’s offense clicks.

MLB AL Cy Young Award Winners (2016-Present)

The table below highlights every MLB AL Cy Young Award winner since 2016.

2025 AL Cy Young Award Results

In the 2025 American League Cy Young Award voting, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal won for the second straight year, receiving 26 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to claim back-to-back honors as the league’s top pitcher. Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet finished a strong second, capturing the other four first-place votes with his dominant first season in Boston, while Houston Astros righty Hunter Brown rounded out the top three in his breakout campaign. Skubal, at age 28, became the first AL pitcher to repeat as Cy Young winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000, posting a sparkling 2.21 ERA, a majors-best 0.89 WHIP, and 241 strikeouts in 195 1/3 innings despite Detroit’s middling 87-75 record that still earned them a wild-card spot.