2026 MLB: Cy Young Award Contenders

With the 2026 MLB season approaching, Cy Young Award futures markets are settling out, giving bettors and fans an early look at which pitchers are expected to contend for the game’s most prestigious pitching award. With odds courtesy of BetMGM, here's a look at some of the top contenders from each league.

American League

Tarik Skubal – Detroit Tigers (+300)

Skubal enters the season as the favorite to win the American League Cy Young Award after capturing the honor in both 2024 and 2025. He got in one start at the World Baseball Classic before returning to the Tigers for the remainder of Spring Training, emphasizing his commitment to preparation for the upcoming season.

The Tigers ace has emerged as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, combining elite strikeout ability with exceptional control. His 2025 campaign included a 2.21 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 31 starts, cementing his place atop the AL pitching hierarchy. 

With back-to-back Cy Young Awards already on his résumé, Skubal will be attempting to join an exclusive group of pitchers who have won the award three times.

Garrett Crochet – Boston Red Sox (+400)

Crochet is expected to be Skubal’s biggest challenger entering the season. After finishing as the runner-up in last year’s voting, the Red Sox left-hander sits just behind the favorite on the odds board. 

Crochet’s electric stuff and ability to miss bats make him one of the most dangerous starters in the league. If he builds on last year’s standout performance, and perhaps if the Red Sox turn out to be a contender, he could easily flip the script and claim the award in 2026.

Jacob deGrom – Texas Rangers (+1000)

Few pitchers possess the upside of deGrom when healthy. The two-time Cy Young winner remains one of the most dominant arms in baseball when he takes the mound, even in the latter stages of his career. 

Despite injury concerns in recent seasons, the Rangers ace still sits near the top tier of contenders at +1300, showing how much respect the betting market has for his ability to dominate lineups.

Cole Ragans – Kansas City Royals (+1100)

Ragans has quickly developed into one of the most exciting young starters in the American League. His rising strikeout numbers and improving command have made him a legitimate Cy Young dark horse on an up-and-coming Royals team.

If he continues to progress as anticipated, Ragans could emerge as one of the biggest threats to the top two favorites.

National League

Paul Skenes – Pittsburgh Pirates (+225)

Skenes enters the 2026 season as the clear favorite to repeat as National League Cy Young winner. The Pirates phenom followed his Rookie of the Year campaign with a dominant 2025 season, posting a 1.97 ERA with 216 strikeouts. 

Still early in his career and having not been pushed to the limit by a non-contending Buccos team, Skenes has already established himself as arguably the best pitcher in baseball and the betting market reflects that dominance.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto – Los Angeles Dodgers (+500)

Yamamoto has quickly become one of the most feared pitchers in the National League. The Dodgers star combines elite command with a deep pitch arsenal that consistently keeps hitters off balance. Helping his cause is the fact that he pitches for the best team in baseball.

With the Dodgers expected to contend for a World Series title once again, Yamamoto should have plenty of opportunities to build a Cy Young résumé this season.

Cristopher Sánchez – Philadelphia Phillies (+700)

Sánchez finished as the runner-up in last year’s Cy Young voting and enters 2026 with the third-best odds on the board. 

With little fanfare, the Phillies left-hander has developed into a reliable frontline starter capable of dominating opposing lineups. If he replicates last season’s performance, he could easily challenge Skenes for the award.

Logan Webb – San Francisco Giants (+2000)

Webb continues to be one of the most consistent pitchers in the National League. Known for his ability to generate weak contact and work deep into games, the Giants ace remains a steady presence in the Cy Young conversation.

Off a strong showing at the World Baseball Classic and priced at +1200, Webb represents one of the more intriguing value options among the top contenders, currently priced higher than both Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler.

Final thoughts

The early 2026 Cy Young futures market suggests the race could once again be defined by dominant young arms but with veterans like deGrom and Webb capable of contending as well.

As always, injuries, breakout seasons, and team performance will ultimately influence the race, but that's a quick look at some of the pitchers that currently sit at or near the top of the board as the most likely Cy Young winners heading into the 2026 MLB season.