Cy Young futures – Lee, Webb tipped for Cy Young glory

Cy Young futures – lots of gems to choose from in MLB odds

• Lee favored to run away with American League award
• Webb faces still competition from wonderkid Lincecum
• Sabathia has great numbers despite half-year in NL

(All statistics as of Wednesday, September 10, 2008)

Major League Baseball will announce its Cy Young award winners in November, but that shouldn’t stop you from betting on baseball and making selections. The American League features a favorite who was reborn in the 2008 season, while the National League favorite is a former Cy Young winner aiming to reclaim his throne.

According to online sports betting odds, Cleveland’s Cliff Lee is the favorite in Cy Young futures in the American League, and one look at the numbers gives ample proof. The 30-year-old southpaw, who was booed to the minors by Indians fans last season, came back with a vengeance in 2008 and currently holds a record of 21-2 in 28 starts with a microscopic 2.28 ERA (tops the majors).

Since the Indians traded last year’s Cy Young winner, C.C. Sabathia, to Milwaukee, Lee is 9-0 in 10 starts, giving him even more leverage with voters and bettors alike. Another solid candidate in the American League is Los Angeles closer Francisco Rodriguez with Cy Young futures odds of +400; he’s two saves away from breaking the record of 57, held by former Chicago closer Bobby Thigpen.

Also in the mix is Toronto’s Roy Halladay, who is looking to add his second such award (he won in 2003). “Doc” is approaching another 20-win season with an 18-9 mark, and his 2.64 ERA is second only to Lee in the league. Halladay has Cy Young futures odds of +1000.

Despite a late-season slump, Arizona’s Brandon Webb still has the best Cy Young futures odds in the National League at -500. Webb won the Cy Young in 2006 before San Diego’s Jake Peavy took it last season, but Webb’s 19-7 record with a 3.41 ERA in 2008 could be too much for voters and bettors to overlook.

However, if his slump continues (Webb had lost three straight as of September 10), San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum will be waiting in the wings. The sophomore right-hander has absolutely destroyed the National League this year, posting a 16-3 record on a poor team with a league-leading 2.54 ERA. Lincecum also leads the majors in strikeouts with his strange delivery that batters can’t seem to catch up to. Lincecum also comes in with EVEN Cy Young futures odds.

Chicago’s closer-turned-starter Ryan Dempster brings up the rear of top contenders with Cy Young futures odds of +800, and the Cubs were just hoping Dempster would be serviceable. Instead, in a rotation that includes Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden, the Canadian has emerged as the ace of the staff. Dempster’s record of 15-6 and 3.02 ERA is impressive, but even more so is the fact that he’s holding the opposition to a .222 average.

Also, watch the field with Cy Young futures odds of +350, as Milwaukee’s C.C. Sabathia could be in the mix. Since being traded to Milwaukee, Sabathia is 9-0 in 12 starts with an ERA of 1.42, along with an astounding six complete games.

Paul’s Picks: In the American League, Cliff Lee is as solid a pick as they come. His numbers are just otherworldly, and the fact that he got even better when Sabathia left is a testament to him, because there’s only Lee to worry about on the Cleveland staff.

The National League picture isn’t as clear due to Webb’s late-season struggles. Lincecum is seventh in the league in walks, but leading the league in strikeouts, winning percentage and ERA is no small feat. Sabathia has been hot, but only spending a half-year in the National League will hurt him. Bet on Tim Lincecum to pull a minor upset and snatch the Cy Young from underneath Webb’s nose.

Visit the betonline.com Sportsbook for all your Cy Young futures.

T.J. Kendrick is the biggest baseball nut and a brilliant MLB handicapper. His love of the game borders on obsession, and he takes every chance he gets to make excellent predictions, frequently contributing to industry handicapping sites as well as betonline.com. Thoughts or questions?