Justin Verlander Favored to Win 2nd AL Cy Young Award, But Trevor Bauer Isn’t Far Behind

• Justin Verlander is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP this season
• Verlander is fourth in ERA, and third in WHIP
• Marcus Stroman has impressed for the Toronto Blue Jays so far, allowing just 10 earned runs in seven starts

We’re one month into the 2019 MLB season and the futures have shifted around quite a bit. That includes player props such as the American League Cy Young odds.

Justin Verlander is favored to pick up his second AL Cy Young Award in 2019. Is he a good bet at this point?

2019 American League Cy Young Award Odds

*Odds taken 05/03/19

Verlander Making a Strong Case

Justin Verlander has been very impressive to start the season. He’s is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a sparkling 0.86 WHIP. What’s even more impressive is that he’s given up just one run in five of his seven starts. Without question, he’s been the best starting pitcher in the American League so far.

Love watching Verlander! Set up was (2) mid 90 sliders, strikeout pitch was 80 curveball. 😳 pic.twitter.com/hYOtIvVKe8

— Youth 1st (@Youth1stMN) April 30, 2019

The Astros are doing their part by providing run support for him. Remember that Houston lost nine times last season when he gave up three runs or less. They offered just 4.4 runs of support for him last season. So far in 2019, they’re scoring just 4.3, but keep in mind that they were shut out in his latest start. They had been averaging 5.0 runs per outing.

Bauer Has Been Stellar

Trevor Bauer looks like he’ll be in the running for the award all season long as he is 4-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He’s given up eight runs in two rough outings, but other than that he’s allowed a total of four earned runs in his other five starts.

Mood rn @BauerOutage @Reflog_18 pic.twitter.com/TW3CVcuMBK

— Drew (@MisterLetEmKnow) April 30, 2019

The challenge for Bauer is that he doesn’t have as strong of a team backing him. While the Astros are the World Series favorite, the Indians aren’t even at the top of their division. That will probably change as the Indians should improve, but if the numbers are the same and the Astros have the better season, that will give Verlander an edge.

Stroman Has Been a Surprise, But Not Worth a Bet

Marcus Stroman has been one of the early surprises of the 2019 season. Although he’s only 1-4 on the season, he has a 2.20 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He’s coming off an outing where he gave up four earned runs, but prior to that he had allowed just six earned runs in total through his first six starts.

Marcus Stroman moving the hot corner to the mound. Check out the reflexes! 🙌🔥 @mlb#VeloPRO pic.twitter.com/CNybdsOST5

— VPX Baseball (@VPXBaseball) April 30, 2019

The challenge is that he plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, who are a weak team. Unless he has a remarkable year and the top starters from the contenders fall apart, he’s not going to be in the running. I’m surprised his odds are so low at just +800, but I’ll pass.

Who’s The Best Bet?

I liked Verlander at the beginning of the season at +1100 and I still likely him now even though the odds have dipped to +450. He’s in the best overall situation and he’s performing well, so I have the most confidence in him right now.

Pick: Justin Verlander (+450)