Trent Reinsmith
As the 2022 MLB season nears its conclusion, the race for the individual player awards for the 2022 Major League Baseball season are beginning to heat up. With that, it’s time to take a fresh look at the pitchers who are currently in the running for the 2022 National 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. Burnes, who made $608,000 in 2021, signed a one-year deal for $6.5 million in 2022 to remain with the Brewers. Milwaukee is getting their money’s worth from the 27-year-old as he is once again in the hunt for the NL Cy Young Award.
Before we look at the players in the mix and our pick on who will claim the 2022 National League Cy Young, check out our 2022 MLB Betting Guide as well as tips and advice on betting on the 2022 World Series.
2022 NL Cy Young Award picks
| To Win 2022 NL Cy Young Award |  |  |  |
| Sandy Alcantara | -450 | -250 | -250 |
| Tony Gonsolin | +800 | +500 | +3400 |
| Max Fried | +1800 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Corbin Burnes | +2500 | +1400 | +700 |
| Julio Urias | +2500 | +8000 | +8000 |
| Carlos Rodon | +2500 | +4000 | +2400 |
Sandy Alcantara
In the early going of the 2022 MLB season, Sandy Alcantara seemed like a longshot — at best — to win the 2022 National League Cy Young Award. A lot changes since then. As the season approached its midpoint, Alcantara moved to the top of the list of favorites for the award. Since then, the Miami Marlins pitcher has become the overwhelming favorite to claim the title of the National League’s best pitcher in 2022.
Alcantara is having a career year in 2022. His 2.13 ERA is second best in the National League. His 167 strikeouts are fifth best in the NL. Alcantara has 12 wins on 26 starts for the Marlines (12-6). His 185.2 innings pitched are by far the most in the majors. Alcantara has thrown 19 more innings than Miles Mikolas, who is second in MLB at 168.1 innings pitched.
Tony Gonsolin
Like Alcantara, Tony Gonsolin has moved up the list of NL Cy Young contenders during the 2022 MLB campaign. Gonsolin was nowhere to be found on the list of top NL pitchers in May. By the midpoint of the season, he had worked his way into the mix. He was listed at +1800 by oddsmakers. As we enter September, the Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander is tied for the league lead in wins (16). He is first in the NL in ERA at 2.10. Gonsolin has only allowed 76 hits in 128 inning pitched this season.
Gonsolin has played a big role in leading the Dodgers to the best record in MLB as the season enters its stretch run.
On August 30, the Dodgers put Gonsolin on the injured list with a right forearm strain. Gonsolin’s previous high in innings pitched in a season was 55 2/3 in 2021.
Max Fried
Unlike Alcantara and Gonsolin, Max Fried has been hanging around the top of the list of NL Cy Young candidates all season. The Atlanta Braves left-hander is fourth in the NL in ERA at 2.52. Fried has started 24 games for Atlanta and he has a 12-4 overall record and 153.1 innings pitched and 140 strikeouts on the season.
The 28-year-old Fried has been with the Braves his entire career.
Our pick
I had my doubts that Alcantara could sustain his performance over the entire season. However, it looks like he is going to do just that. Before this year, Alcantara’s best ERA on the season was 3.00 in 2020.
Pick: Sandy Alcantara to win the 2022 NL Cy Young Award.
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