With the All-Star Game behind us and the season’s second half ahead, it’s high time to dust off predictions for the game’s major awards.
Near the top of that list is the Cy Young, and the National League in 2024 has a fascinating race for the honor.
According to FanDuel TV, there are three favorites to take home the prized trophy.
They are Chris Sale (+125) of the Atlanta Braves, Zack Wheeler (+165) with the Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookie phenom Paul Skenes (+500).
Who will win the NL Cy Young Award? 🏆
⚾ Chris Sale (+125)
⚾ Zack Wheeler (+165)
⚾ Paul Skenes (+500)@FDSportsbook | @aliimccann | #MLB pic.twitter.com/u4vQ56yxe5— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) July 17, 2024
Sale was a risky addition for the Braves after spending the last five seasons hampered by injury while a member of the Boston Red Sox.
But the gamble paid huge dividends and now has the 14-year veteran on the cusp of his first Cy Young award.
All Sale has done is post a 13-3 mark to lead the majors in victories along with sterling 2.70 ERA.
Wheeler is part of the murderers’ row trotted out by the Phillies every night, and already has 10 wins and a 2.70 ERA as well.
And then there’s Skenes.
The surprise but deserving All-Star Game starter did not even reach the major leagues until the second week of May, but he has been tearing through batting lineups ever since.
The 22-year-old rookie has an unblemished 6-0 record and a miniscule 1.90 ERA, and the story hardly stops there.
Skenes has 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings, and there are many instances where the hurler looks virtually unhittable.
The Pirates phenom may have come up too late for this season’s Cy Young, but if he remains healthy, he will be in the discussion for many years to come.
