Trent Reinsmith
With a little over a month played in the 2022 season, Major League Baseball’s pitchers have started to get the feel of regular season baseball. They have largely shaken off any rust that might have accumulated since the end of the 2021 campaign. With that, it’s time to look at the early favorites and picks for the 2022 American League Cy Young Award.
The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitcher in MLB. The American League and National League both award the honor. Last year, Robbie Ray of the Toronto Blue Jays claimed the AL Cy Young. Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers took home the 2021 NL Cy Young.
Before we look at the players in the mix and our pick on who will claim the 2022 American League Cy Young, check out our 2022 MLB Betting Guide as well as tips and advice on betting on the 2022 World Series.
2022 AL Cy Young Award picks
| To Win 2022 American League Cy Young |  |
| Justin Verlander | +550 |
| Kevin Gausman | +650 |
| Dylan Cease | +720 |
| Gerrit Cole | +750 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +1000 |
| Shane McClanahan | +1200 |
| Shane Bieber | +1600 |
| Lucas Giolito | +2000 |
| Noah Syndergaard | +3500 |
| Robbie Ray | +4000 |
| Frankie Montas | +4000 |
| Nathan Eovaldi | +5000 |
Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is looking for his third Cy Young award. The 39-year-old won his first Cy Young in 2011 as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Verlander claimed his second Cy Young in 2019 while throwing for the Houston Astros.
A groin injury and then Tommy John surgery limited Verlander to one game pitched in 2020 and he missed all of 2021.
Verlander returned to the Houston Astros lineup for 2022. He has thrown six games as of this writing and has been on the mound for six or more innings in three of those outings. Verlander has an ERA of 1.55 on the season. In his most recent start, Verlander threw eight innings and gave up one hit.
Kevin Gausman
Kevin Gausman finished in sixth place in the 2021 National League Cy Young voting while playing for the San Francisco Giants. Gausman finished the season with a 14-6 record to go along with a 2.81 ERA and 227 strikeouts. He earned his first trip to the All-Star game with a 1.73 ERA at the break and finished the 2021 campaign ranked fifth in the NL in innings, sixth in ERA and opponents average.
Gausman signed a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays in December for five years and $110 million.
Gausman has thrown great for the Blue Jays. He has 28 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.13. Gausman did not walk an opposing batter until his sixth game of the season. He has yet to give up a home run this year. As for Cy Young credentials, he fits the bill as he and Young are the only pitchers since 1903 to start a season with five consecutive games without surrendering a walk or home run.
Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox joined a select group of pitchers at the end of the 2021 MLB season. With 226 strikeouts in 165 2/3 innings over 32 starts, Cease became one of four major league pitchers to average at least 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings while making 30 starts in a season. The other three players to accomplish that feat? Randy Johnson, Chris Sale and Gerrit Cole.
Cease has started six games for the White Sox in 2022. He has an ERA of 2.38 and 47 strikeouts, which is good enough for second in the American League.
Our pick
It might be a bit of a dark horse pick, but I am going with Dylan Cease to win the 2022 Cy Young.
Pick: Dylan Cease of the Chicago White Sox to win the 2022 American League Cy Young Award.
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