Trent Reinsmith
As the 2022 MLB All-Star break approaches, 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 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. Ray signed a five-year deal with the Seattle Mariners in December. That contract is worth $115 million. Ray, still pitching in the AL, is not currently in the mix for the 2022 AL 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 |  |  |  |  |
| Shane McClanahan | +300 | +325 | +370 | +370 |
| Justin Verlander | +350 | +375 | +400 | +400 |
| Alek Manoah | +600 | +500 | TBA | TBA |
| Gerrit Cole | +750 | +700 | +800 | +800 |
| Nestor Cortes | +1200 | +950 | TBA | TBA |
| Kevin Gausman | +1600 | +1500 | +1600 | +1600 |
| Dylan Cease | +1800 | +2000 | +2200 | +2200 |
| Tarik Skubal | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Shane Bieber | +2800 | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Lucas Giolito | +3300 | +3500 | +4000 | +4000 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +3300 | +3500 | +4000 | +4000 |
Shane McClanahan
Shane McClanahan has made quite a leap up the list of American League Cy Young contenders. Early in the 2022 season, the Tampa Bay Rays pitcher was a distant +1200 to win the Cy Young. He’s jumped to the top of the list and is now a +300 favorite to win.
McClanahan was a rookie last year. He started 25 games and finished the season with a 3.43 ERA to go with a record of 10-6. In 123.1 innings pitched, McClanahan had 141 strikeouts. This year, the 25-year-old leads the American League in ERA (1.81) and strikeouts (113). He is tied for fourth with seven wins.
McClanahan is on a one-year-deal with the Rays worth $711,400. He’s not eligible for arbitration until 2024 and his free agency does not kick in until 2028.
Justin Verlander
The worrying about Justin Verlander is probably behind us. The 39-year-old two-time Cy Young Award winner made his return to the mound this year after missing all of last season following Tommy John surgery and he has not disappointed.
Verlander has started 13 games this year for the Astros. He’s tied for the American League lead with eight wins. He has a 2.30 ERA to go with 81 strikeouts. In May, Verlander took a no-hitter into the eighth inning before giving up a single to Gio Urshela of the Twins.
Alek Manoah
Speaking of making some noise in the race for the 2022 American League Cy Young, let’s look at Alek Manoah. When the early odds came out for the pitching award, Manoah was nowhere to be found. That’s changed, as he is now in the mix at +600 to win the Cy Young.
Manoah is a 24-year-old hurler with the Toronto Blue Jays. He started 20 games in 2021 and wrapped up the season with a record of 9-2 to go with an ERA of 3.22. This season, Manoah has started 13 games. He is one of the two players besides Verlander who has eight wins. Manoah’s ERA is third in the AL at 2.00 and he has 73 strikeouts in 81 innings thrown.
Our pick
With McClanahan and Manoah still having something to prove, I’m going to go with Verlander here. Coming back from a long time away from the game following Tommy John surgery and throwing at a high-level right out of the gate is impressive. If he can stay the course, I think Verlander wins his third Cy Young.
Pick: Justin Verlander to win 2022 American League Cy Young Award.
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