MLB Cy Young 2025 Odds for AL and NL: Skenes to Be Crowned?

2025 NL Cy Young Odds

The following NL Cy Young betting odds are courtesy of Bovada:

Paul Skenes (-425) is comfortably favored to win the 2025 NL Cy Young. At -425, Skenes has edged ahead in the race for the Cy Young in the National League. The 23-year-old sophomore has an 81% implied probability to win and should have an even greater chance in September. On August 7, Skenes had a -225 price to win the Cy Young, so public sentiment continues to improve on the Pirates’ starter at the best MLB betting sites.

The Phillies have a pitcher with the second-best NL Cy Young odds, but it is no longer Zack Wheeler (+3000). Christopher Sanchez’s (+275) price has skyrocketed over the last month, with Sanchez shifting from +1200 to +275 in just two weeks.

This means that Sanchez’s implied probability has moved from 7.7% to 26.7% in short order. Meanwhile, Wheeler has crashed from +195 to +3000, suggesting he’s out of the race!

2025 AL Cy Young Odds

The following AL Cy Young betting odds are courtesy of Bovada:

Tarik Skubal’s (-225) odds to win the AL Cy Young have regressed over the last month. He had a commanding -650 lead, but that has dwindled from 86.7% to 69.2%. He still has the best odds and still maintains a fairly comfortable lead over Garrett Crochet (+210).

The AL Cy Young race is down to two pitchers, as Skubal and Crochet are the only two remaining hurlers with an opportunity. Crochet’s 2025 AL Cy Young odds have shifted in a favorable direction from +525 to +210, a solid probability movement from 16% to 32.3%.

Aside from Skubal and Crochet, the rest of the American League pitchers are well out of the hunt. The Houston Astros’ Hunter Brown (+2000) is the next likeliest winner with only a 4.8% implied chance to win.

Paul Skenes (-425)

Although Skenes hasn’t been perfect this season, the Pirates’ sophomore star is locked in after a couple of early speed bumps. It’s been a predictably horrible season for the Pirates, but Skenes continues to pitch like one of the best in baseball.

At only 23 years old, Skenes owns a 2.16 ERA and 0.96 WHIP through 26 starts and 154 innings. He’s had a couple of rare missteps recently, but bounced back against the Blue Jays. Skenes found it tough to tame Coors Field, as he was tagged for four earned runs in five innings. It was the first time in three games Skenes allowed a run.

Prior to that performance, Skenes was on fire with no runs conceded in four of five outings. He returned strong against the Reds with no runs allowed across seven innings, but the Brewers got to him for four in four innings on August 12.

In his latest effort, Skenes was in strong form, with five hits and two earned runs versus a dangerous Toronto lineup.

Paul Skenes tonight:

6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
96 pitches, 65 strikes, 16 whiffs

Listen to that ovation. 2.16 ERA (best in MLB). 154.0 IP (3rd most in MLB). NL CY YOUNG. NOW. pic.twitter.com/GUevzcISa7

— Platinum Key (@PlatinumKey13) August 19, 2025

Skenes’ hot hand couldn’t be stopped in July. He recorded a 0.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 27 frames. While Skenes hasn’t been as hot in August, the Pirates’ ace is the clear frontrunner to clinch the NL Cy Young.

I backed Skenes pre-Opening Day at +230 odds. That was the best Cy Young winner pick on the board. Now, at -425, he may still be worth considering to wrap up the award in September, but you may want to wait to see if you can get a better price.

Christopher Sanchez (+275)

With Wheeler’s numbers failing to keep pace, his teammates’ odds are on the rise. Sanchez has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last two months of the season.

Despite not getting the most attention in the media, Sanchez is pitching like a machine. The 28-year-old conceded one or no earned runs in eight of his previous 10 performances. Overall, Sanchez is in solid shape, with a 2.45 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 24 starts in 2025.

Sanchez isn’t new to pitching at a high level. He’s largely flown under the radar as one of the better hurlers in the National League the last two years. The Phillies’ lefty posted a 3.44 and 3.32 ERA in 2023 and 2024. Now, Sanchez is easily on track for a new career-best on the mound.

Cristopher Sánchez's 2Ks in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/cxhHxiBhQh

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 19, 2025

Allowing two or fewer earned runs in 12 of his previous 14 outings, Sanchez has been in Cy Young form since May. He would be a deserving winner but will need Skenes to struggle in September to receive enough votes.

Tarik Skubal (-225)

Skubal has his eyes set on back-to-back Cy Youngs in the American League after he ran away with the honor in 2024. The 28-year-old’s work on the mound this season would have everyone believing that Skubal is well on his way. However, he’s taken a few hits recently that have opened up the Cy Young race in August.

Overall, Skubal has posted Cy Young numbers, with a 2.42 ERA and 0.87 WHIP across 24 starts. That said, he hasn’t been in his typical lockdown form as of late. He’s yielded 10 earned runs over 18.2 innings since August 2. That’s a 4.82 ERA in three starts for Skubal.

Nevertheless, Skubal’s 5.5 WAR is the best amongst pitchers in the American League. He trails Crochet in strikeouts but ranks a solid second in the Majors. Through 152.1 innings, Skubal has yielded an incredible 23 walks! The Tigers’ ace makes it difficult for every hitter he faces.

Tarik Skubal racked up 13 strikeouts in his first career complete game 👏

He hit 102.6 MPH on the radar on his last pitch! The fastest of the day and his career 😤

(MLB x @GoogleCloud) pic.twitter.com/atRaPlKOxF

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) May 25, 2025

Conversely, though, there have been signs of Skubal showing fatigue in August. He isn’t in the same form as earlier in the season, so can he dig deep and finish strong in the final month? In what is a toss-up right now, I don’t know if the value play is on Skubal at -225.

Garrett Crochet (+210)

Skubal jumps out to a huge lead to win the AL Cy Young, but the Red Sox ace has managed to reel him in. While the rest of the American League hasn’t been able to keep up, Crochet remains on Skubal’s heels.

The 26-year-old Mississippi native owns a 2.43 ERA and 1.07 WHIP through 159.1 innings. He’s been a strikeout machine with 196 to lead the Majors. Note that Crochet has fanned 31 batters over his previous four starts.

Garrett Crochet was FIRED UP after his MLB-leading 183rd K 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JPFvSV4IRd

— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2025

Additionally, Crochet has allowed two or fewer earned runs in six of his previous seven tilts since July 6. He had one poor attempt against the Astros at Minute Maid but bounced back with a dazzling performance versus the Marlins.

Crochet is behind Skubal as of August 19, but the difference isn’t that much. At least, I believe Crochet should have shorter odds to win the AL Cy Young. The margin for error is so small that getting +210 for him is hard to ignore.