With some big names involved, here a look at the contenders for the Cy Young Award in the American League and National League for the 2023 season.

American League

Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees) @ +600

New York Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole was exceptional on opening day against the San Francisco Giants. 

Cole threw six innings giving up three hits and no runs with 11 strikeouts and he continued his hot start, striking out eight in a 4-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Manager Aaron Boone was impressed with Cole since the start, he said to YES network: “He walks out there with a lot of equipment. I feel like he’s been in a good spot since Day one of Spring Training, and he’s carried it right into the season. He had a little bit of everything going today, I thought his fastball was really good,command-wise. He was sharp, and he’s throwing the ball really well.” 

Cole moved to 2-0 for the season with an early ERA of 0.73 and 19 strikeouts.

Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers) @ +750

Following a rough opening day debut for deGrom after his move in the offseason from the New York Mets, the two-time NL Cy Young award winner hit back in typical Jacob deGrom fashion. 

On his debut he exited the game after just over three innings with the Rangers trailing 5-0. On his second start against the Baltimore Orioles, he gave up just one earned run over six innings while striking out 11 as Texas won 5-2. 

Speaking to MLB.com, Rangers’ manager Bruce Bochy said about deGrom: “He was great, wasn’t he? It was great to get him a win too. That was Jacob, just really on top of his game. He has good command, great stuff and it was just a great effort from him.” 

DeGrom has started the season with a 1-0 record and a 5.59 ERA.

Dylan Cease (Chicago White Sox) @ +900

Dylan Cease threw six and a third innings on opening day and gave up two hits, one run, but struckout 10 against the Houston Astros on opening day. 

In his second start against the San Francisco Giants, he struck out eight, despite a heavy cold. Cease is 1-0 for the season with a 1.59 ERA.

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National League

Sandy Alcantara (Miami Marlins) @ +500

The reigning NL Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara has had an indifferent start to the season, he pitched just over five innings on opening day against the Mets. 

He struck out two and walked four giving up three hits and three earned runs. However, against the Minnesota Twins, he pitched his fourth shutout game, the full nine innings giving up three hits and just one walk, striking out five as the Marlins won a tight game 1-0. 

Alcantara has started the season with a 1-0 record and an ERA of 1.84.

Corbin Burnes (Milwaukee Brewers) @ +650

Not the start that Corbin Burnes wanted for the season. He’s only pitched 9.1 innings so far giving up 11 hits and 10 earned runs. 

However, Burnes was grateful as his side gained a walkoff win against the Mets on Wednesday afternoon. 

Speaking to the official Brewers website, Burnes said: “That’s a huge series to sweep those guys (New York Mets), it was a great team series as far as scoring runs and not giving up runs. Everyone top to bottom in the bullpen and the rotation is throwing the ball well except me. 

“For me, it’s time for me to step up and help these guys out instead of them having to carry me around.”

Max Scherzer (New York Mets) @ +750

Following the 9-0 loss to the Brewers in Game Two of the series, Max Scherzer was trying to dissect what had gone wrong for the veteran pitcher. 

The 38-year-old’s season start had not exactly gone to plan. Scherzer has given up eight earned runs to date and his ERA has hit 6.35, his last four starts including the end of last season has seen him get an earned average of 7.89. 

Speaking to the official New York Mets’ website, Scherzer said: “It’s not the stuff, I’m generating swings and misses, but I’m not having ‘out’ pitches. I’m not generating swings and misses with two strikes, I’m not generating strikeouts like I can.” 

Other candidates for the NL Cy Young award are Spencer Stryder of the Atlanta Braves and Zach Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies.