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Cristopher Sanchez had an elite 2025 season and should be in the 2026 National League Cy Young Award mix.
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Paul Skenes won the 2025 National League (NL) Cy Young Award, and he’s priced as the favorite to win the 2026 NL Cy Young Award. There was nothing controversial about the selection, as Skenes was the top pitcher in the Senior Circuit in many meaningful categories. However, there’s not much value in betting on a repeat from Skenes, as his odds are too short.
Skenes’ chalky betting lines to win this year’s NL Cy Young Award create some value elsewhere. A pair of left-handed pitchers from the NL East have eye-catching betting odds to win the NL Cy Young Award and a viable path to unseating Skenes.
Other MLB betting articles:
- MLB Home Run Player Props: Caminero And Pasquantino
- MLB Home Run Player Props: Murakami And Alonso
- MLB Home Run Leader Prop Bets: Schwarber And Kurtz
- MLB Strikeouts Leader: Skubal And Sale
- Best Bets To Win The American League MVP Award: Witt Jr. And Kurtz
- Best Bets To Win The National League MVP Award: Soto And De La Cruz
- Best Bets To Win The American League Cy Young Award: DeGrom And Ragans
National League Cy Young Picks
Cristopher Sanchez (Philadelphia Phillies - SP)
Player to win the NL Cy Young Award (+1000) at Bet Rivers
Cristopher Sanchez broke out for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023, took another slight step forward in 2024 and was a legitimate ace in 2025. Among 43 NL pitchers with at least 130 innings pitched in 2025, Sanchez was third in ERA (2.50), fourth in expected ERA (3.02 xERA), second in xFIP (2.77), second in SIERA (3.02), sixth in WHIP (1.06), tied for seventh in walk rate (5.5%) and 10th in strikeout rate (26.3%). The lefty was better than Skenes in xFIP and SIERA.
Sanchez also piled up innings. He was one of only two pitchers in the NL to clear 200 innings, spinning 202, and he was tied for the NL lead in quality starts (22). Sanchez’s plate discipline numbers and pitch-modeling data were outstanding, too.
Out of the same sample of 43 NL pitchers last season, Sanchez was third in swinging-strike rate (13.9%), first in called-plus-swinging-strike rate (31.4%), second in swing rate at pitches outside the strike zone (35.4%) and 10th in first-strike rate (65.6%). In addition, Sanchez was first in Stuff+ (114), tied for 26th in Location+ (101) and second in Pitching+ (117).
Philadelphia’s ace has two put-away pitches, sporting a 15.8% swinging-strike rate on his slider and a 23.4% swinging-strike rate on his changeup last season. Sanchez also does an elite job of keeping the ball on the ground, with a 58.3% ground-ball rate last year and a 57.5% ground-ball rate in his career. Sanchez checks all the boxes of a potential Cy Young Award winner, and the lefty should be in the mix to win this year’s NL Cy Young Award.
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Chris Sale could make a run at his second National League Cy Young Award this season.
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Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves - SP)
Player to win the NL Cy Young Award (+1400) at DraftKings Sportsbook
It doesn’t take a vivid imagination to envision Chris Sale capturing the 2026 NL Cy Young Award. The veteran southpaw is only a year removed from winning the NL Cy Young Award in his first season in the NL in 2024.
Sale has thrived with the Braves. Sadly, he landed on the Injured List (IL) last June after fracturing his left rib cage. Otherwise, Sale was following up his Cy Young-winning campaign with another gem.
In 50 appearances (49 starts) for the Braves, Sale has spun a 2.46 ERA, 2.81 xERA, 2.78 xFIP, 2.84 SIERA, 1.04 WHIP, 5.9% walk rate, 32.2% strikeout rate, 13.8% swinging-strike rate, 31.8% called-plus-swinging-strike rate, 36.0% swing rate outside the strike zone, 68.5% first-strike rate, 105 Stuff+, 108 Location+ and 108 Pitching+. He also had 29 quality starts.
Sale has been every bit a front-of-the-rotation pitcher for the Braves. Sale will turn 37 years old on March 30. Still, nothing in his statistical profile indicates he’s hitting an age cliff. Sale can make a run at another NL Cy Young Award, and his +1400 odds to do so offered at DraftKings Sportsbook are dreamy.
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