MLB betting: You can still get Max Scherzer at plus odds to win NL Cy Young
The Max Scherzer story is an easy sell to NL Cy Young voters.
Scherzer was a deadline acquisition by the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the game's glamour teams. Scherzer, a future Hall of Famer, has put together one of the more impressive streaks of his great career with L.A., who has passed 100 wins for the season. Scherzer's numbers for the season are remarkable and his numbers just with the Dodgers have been even better.
And yet, at BetMGM, Scherzer is not the favorite to win NL Cy Young. That means there's still a chance to bet him at plus odds.
A two-man race for NL Cy Young
The favorite to win NL Cy Young is Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers. He's certainly deserving if he wins.
Burnes leads the league in ERA for a division champion. He was part of a combined no-hitter earlier this season. He is 11-4 with a 2.29 ERA. He has been dominant all season.
If you believe the current odds, NL Cy Young is a two-man race. Burnes is -175 odds. Scherzer is +165. Walker Buehler is third at +2500.
Scherzer has been dominant, when he was with the Washington Nationals and then with the Dodgers. His WHIP (walks and hits divided by innings pitched) is an amazing 0.864. His numbers with the Dodgers: 7-0, 1.98 ERA in 11 starts. He has 89 strikeouts in 68.1 Dodgers innings. The Dodgers have won all 11 of his starts. His next start could come in the NL wild-card game next week, depending on what happens over the weekend.
Voting is about narratives as much as production. Scherzer plays in Los Angeles; Burnes is in small-market Milwaukee. Scherzer, 15-4 overall this season, is an established star and Burnes was a relative unknown before this season. Scherzer coming over in a trade and going on a tear has gotten a lot more buzz than Burnes' strong, steady season.
Burnes could win the award and nobody could complain about it. But given BetMGM's odds and Scherzer's narrative, there's still value in betting on Scherzer. Then we'll see what the voters have to say.
