DraftKings NJ currently lists Cole at +550 to win the award, which puts him in fourth place behind Tampa Bay Rays lefty Shane McClanahan (+350), Houston Astros right-hander Framber Valdez (+400), and Toronto Blue Jays ace Kevin Gausman +500.
Top Five Favorites for the 2023 American League Cy Young Award
Here is a look at the top five AL Cy Young contenders as of June 27, 2023, at DraftKings:
- Shane McClanahan (+350)
- Framber Valdez (+400)
- Kevin Gausman (+500)
- Gerrit Cole (+700)
- Shohei Ohtani (+1000)
McClanahan has been the clear frontrunner for the award all season, but Valdez is starting to make a move. Cole’s odds have drifted a bit in recent weeks, but he’s still a major threat. Gausman and Ohtani are both having great seasons and could also make a run at the award.
It’s still early in the season, so anything can happen. However, these five pitchers are the ones to watch as the race for the AL Cy Young Award heats up.
Gerrit Cole 2023 Season at a Glance
Cole is currently fourth in the American League in ERA and has posted an 8-1 record with a 2.78 ERA over 103.2 frames. Cole is fourth among his AL counterparts with 113 strikeouts and second behind Valdez in Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
The Yankees hurler and his 31 walks are much higher than his career numbers, but Cole is allowing the fewest home runs per nine of his career, allowing just .089 home runs per nine innings on the bump.
Cole has thrown the most fastballs this season than he has over his entire career and has relied on his fastball with fewer sliders and changeups thrown during his four years with New York.
GERRIT COLE IS FIRED UP pic.twitter.com/XuC1DD89BI
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) June 21, 2023
Conclusion
In the world of baseball, Gerrit Cole is undoubtedly one of the most talented pitchers out there. He’s been having a solid 2023 season so far, but when it comes to the AL Cy Young race, he’s not quite at the top of the list.
McClanahan, Valdez, and Gausman are currently leading the pack, and unless something drastic happens, they’ll likely continue to do so. These players have all performed exceptionally well, and their teams are in the running for postseason play.
According to the criteria set by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Cole is in the top five for ERA and losses. Still, his WHIP is only 14th in the American League. While he’s been a crucial part of the Yankees’ success this season, he hasn’t necessarily done anything extraordinary compared to the competition.
To make matters worse, the Yankees are struggling to score runs without Aaron Judge, who was injured in early June. This lack of offensive production could lead to some losses for Cole, hurting his chances of winning the Cy Young award even more. Overall, the odds aren’t in his favor, and betting on Cole to win isn’t a good bet to make.
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