Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) reacts after giving up a home run to Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez (not pictured) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium on Aug 10. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Paul Skenes Given Best Odds to Win National League Cy Young Award

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 2:47 PM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has been given the best odds in the National League to win the Cy Young Award, according to the Fanduel Sportsbook.

Skenes is listed as +300, meaning that if you bet $100 on Skenes to win, and he does, you'd get $300 plus your original $100 back. Skenes is ranked ahead of Zack Wheeler (Phillies) and Chris Sale (Braves), who won the award in 2024.

Skenes has better odds to win than Tarik Skubal (+400) does to win in the American League, showing how much bookmakers, and the public, believe in him.

2025 NL Cy Young Odds.

Who ya got?

[via @FDSportsbook ] pic.twitter.com/HYgwyannBJ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 2, 2025

Skenes finished his rookie season at 11-3 with that 1.96 ERA. He struck out 170 batters in just 133.0 innings and looked every bit the part of an ace moving into 2025. The former No. 1 pick in the draft (2023), Skenes made his major league debut in early May after just a handful of minor league starts With Skenes and Jared Jones, the Pirates and their fans finally look to have some optimism moving forward.

Armed with an upper-90s fastball and his power "splinker," Skenes also earned the start for the National League in the All-Star Game. In addition to winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award, Skenes was also already a finalist for the National League Cy Young.

The Pirates finished last in the National League Central but will look to turn it around this year in a wide open division. The Brewers, thus far, appear to have taken a step back while the Cubs have taken a step forward.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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