Ranking the Top MLB Cy Young Contenders in 2026

As of early June, New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler and Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez are the leaders in their respective Cy Young races.

Based on the latest MLB Cy Young odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook, Schlittler is the betting favorite in the American League. Sánchez finds himself atop the National League market.

Check out my current rankings for both Cy Young races during the 2026 season:

Ranking the Top AL Cy Young Contenders

Cam Schlittler

After beginning the preseason as a +4000 long shot, Schlittler is the clear AL Cy Young favorite amid his breakout campaign. He leads all AL pitchers in FanGraphs’ WAR (2.8) and ERA (1.89). Schlittler has also whiffed 84 batters across 76 1/3 innings of work.

Dylan Cease

In his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays, right-hander Dylan Cease has the highest strikeout rate (35.7%) in the AL. He’s fanned 92 batters in 62 innings, posting a 3.05 ERA across 11 starts. There is a reason why Cease has the second-best AL Cy Young odds.

Davis Martin

I’m as shocked as anyone that Chicago White Sox righty Davis Martin is third on the list at this point in the season. He’s got a fWAR of 2.6 with a 2.61 ERA through his first 12 starts, posting an 8-2 record for a White Sox team that is more competitive than anyone expected.

Gavin Williams

Speaking of surprises, Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams leads all AL pitchers with 94 strikeouts and nine wins. He’s got a 3.20 ERA and has already tallied more fWAR (1.5) than he did in 31 starts last year.

Joe Ryan

Somehow, I’m highlighting a third AL Central hurler in my top five. Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has silenced any potential trade rumors by recording a fWAR of 2.1 and a 3.20 ERA in 13 starts. He has 79 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings.

Ranking the Top NL Cy Young Contenders

Cristopher Sánchez

After finishing runner-up in last year’s Cy Young race, Sánchez has established himself as the early favorite this season. He leads all NL pitchers with a fWAR of 3.6, while posting a 1.46 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 86 1/3 innings.

Jacob Misiorowski

The Milwaukee Brewers have fully unleashed their young, hard-throwing righty after Jacob Misiorowski made 14 starts last year. He’s leading all NL pitchers with 108 strikeouts in 71 innings, recording a 1.65 ERA and a fWAR of 3.0.

Shohei Ohtani

MLB’s two-way superstar is having the best pitching campaign of his career. Shohei Ohtani’s absurd 0.74 ERA in 10 starts speaks for itself. He also has 67 strikeouts, but his workload of 61 innings might be the only blemish on his Cy Young resume.

Paul Skenes

As the reigning Cy Young winner, Pittsburgh Pirates righty Paul Skenes is still arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Skenes has mostly been dinged by a couple of bad starts, but he still has a 3.09 ERA and a fWAR of 2.2. He’s registered 82 whiffs in 70 innings.

Chris Sale

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale remains one of the best pitchers in the league at 37 years old. Two years removed from his first Cy Young campaign, Sale has a 2.01 ERA and a fWAR of 1.7 in 11 starts. He’s struck out 80 batters across 67 frames.