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The AL & NL Cy Young favorites through the first quarter of the 2022 MLB season
Andrew Dieb / USA Today Sports Images

The AL & NL Cy Young favorites through the first quarter of the 2022 MLB season

The early season has been defined by great pitching, and some pitchers have already separated themselves from the pack. Here's a look at the Cy Young favorites after the 1st quarter of the season. Odds are from FanDuel Sportsbook as of May 20, 2022.

 
1 of 24

AL: Justin Verlander +500

AL: Justin Verlander +500
Jerome Miron / USA Today Sports Images

Verlander is having a remarkable return from Tommy John surgery at age 39. The Astros ace has a 1.38 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in seven starts spanning 45.2 innings.

 
2 of 24

NL: Corbin Burnes +320

NL: Corbin Burnes +320
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images

Burnes is trying to win his second consecutive Cy Young Award, and he's off to a great start. The Brewers ace has a 2.26 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in eight starts over 51.2 innings.

 
3 of 24

AL: Kevin Gausman +600

AL: Kevin Gausman +600
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

Toronto is looking smart by replacing Robbie Ray with Gausman. The right-hander has a 2.52 ERA with a remarkable 57/3 K/BB in 50 innings.

 
4 of 24

NL: Carlos Rodon +600

NL: Carlos Rodon +600
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

San Francisco took a risk by signing the oft-injured Rodon in the offseason, but that risk is paying off. He has a 3.49 ERA with 56/13 K/BB in 38.2 innings.

 
5 of 24

AL: Gerrit Cole +750

AL: Gerrit Cole +750
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

Cole is still trying to win his first Cy Young Award after finishing top five in the voting in four consecutive seasons. He has a 2.89 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 43.2 innings over eight starts.

 
6 of 24

NL: Pablo Lopez +1200

NL: Pablo Lopez +1200
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images

Lopez is leading an outstanding Marlins pitching staff early this year. He has a 1.57 ERA over eight starts, putting the injury issues of recent seasons behind him.

 
7 of 24

AL: Shohei Ohtani +900

AL: Shohei Ohtani +900
Andrew Dieb / USA Today Sports Images

Ohtani is looking like an ace this season while also continuing to produce at the plate. He has a 2.82 ERA in seven starts, with 53/9 K/BB in 38.1 innings.

 
8 of 24

NL: Joe Musgrove +1200

NL: Joe Musgrove +1200
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

Musgrove continues to lead a highly talented Padres pitching staff. He has a 2.20 ERA in seven starts with 47/6 K/BB over 45 innings.

 
9 of 24

AL: Dylan Cease +900

AL: Dylan Cease +900
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images
 
10 of 24

NL: Walker Buehler +1300

NL: Walker Buehler +1300
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images
 
11 of 24

AL: Shane McClanahan +1000

AL: Shane McClanahan +1000
Stephen Brashear / USA Today Sports Images
 
12 of 24

NL: Max Fried +1500

NL: Max Fried +1500
Michael McLoone / USA Today Sports Images

Fried has continued to step up as Atlanta's ace. The lefty has a 3.31 ERA with 47/6 K/BB in 49 innings.

 
13 of 24

AL: Alek Manoah +1100

AL: Alek Manoah +1100
Gerry Angus / USA Today Sports Images

With Jose Berrios struggling, Manoah has filled the void as the Jays ace. The second-year starter has a 1.71 ERA in seven starts spanning 42 innings.

 
14 of 24

NL: Zack Wheeler +2000

NL: Zack Wheeler +2000
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Wheeler had a delayed start due to shoulder issues, but has made up for lost time. He has a 3.49 ERA in seven starts over 38.2 innings.

 
15 of 24

AL: Nestor Cortes +1600

AL: Nestor Cortes +1600
Dan Hamilton / USA Today Sports Images

Gerrit Cole is still known as the ace of the Yankees, but Cortes has rightfully received much of the early-season attention. The left-hander leads the AL with a 1.35 ERA over seven starts, with 49 strikeouts in 40 innings.

 
16 of 24

NL: Zac Gallen +2000

NL: Zac Gallen +2000
Rick Scuteri / USA Today Sports Images

Gallen overcame early shoulder issues to dominate through seven starts. He leads the NL with a 1.14 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, fanning 39 batters in 39.1 innings.

 
17 of 24

AL: Shane Bieber +2500

AL: Shane Bieber +2500
Jeffrey Becker / USA Today Sports Images

Bieber's velocity has been down early this season, but he's still seeing good results. He has a 3.72 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 38.2 innings.

 
18 of 24

NL: Sandy Alcantara +2500

NL: Sandy Alcantara +2500
Jim Rassol / USA Today Sports Images

Alcantara has been Miami's ace since 2019, and continues to pitch like a top of the rotation pitcher. Walks have hurt him, but Alcantara has a 2.49 ERA over 50.2 innings.

 
19 of 24

AL: Lucas Giolito +2500

AL: Lucas Giolito +2500
Matt Marton / USA Today Sports Images

Giolito has missed some time early in the season but been an ace when he has pitched. The right-hander has a 2.84 ERA in six starts, with 44 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.

 
20 of 24

NL: Brandon Woodruff +2500

NL: Brandon Woodruff +2500
Michael McLoone / USA Today Sports Images

Woodruff's peripherals have been far better than his results in the first quarter of the season. He has a 5.35 ERA, but Woodruff also has 43/12 K/BB in 33.2 innings. The Vegas odds reflect a pitcher who should see improvement over the remainder of the season.

 
21 of 24

AL: Tarik Skubal +4000

AL: Tarik Skubal +4000
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit's starting rotation has been riddled with injuries, but Skubal has been reliable. The left-hander has a 2.22 ERA in eight starts with 50/8 K/BB over 44.2 innings.

 
22 of 24

NL: Aaron Nola +3000

NL: Aaron Nola +3000
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Nola's masterful command has continued this season, and he's seeing better results than last year. He has a 3.64 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 55/9 K/BB in 47 innings for the Phils.

 
23 of 24

AL: Logan Gilbert +4000

AL: Logan Gilbert +4000
Jim Rassol / USA Today Sports Images

Seattle signed reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray in the offseason, but Gilbert has been their ace. He has a 2.40 ERA and 51/16 K/BB in 45 innings.

 
24 of 24

NL: Chris Bassitt +3500

NL: Chris Bassitt +3500
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

With injuries to Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Tylor Megill, Bassitt could be New York's most important pitcher in the short term. The Spring Training acquisition by way of Oakland has a 2.77 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 48.2 innings.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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