Finding Betting Value in the Odds for the 2018 National League Cy Young Award
Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals
Odds: 33/1
So Michael Wacha has jumped into the wayback machine here in 2018 and is having a terrific renaissance season for the Cardinals. In 71 innings this year, Wacha has a 2.41 ERA and 3.31 FIP, but he has been even better since an up-and-down first three outings of the season.
In his last nine starts, he has a 1.60 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 49 strikeouts and 17 walks over that stretch. Opponents are hitting a scant .197 against him this season, with a strikeout rate of 21.3% that is right in line with his career numbers.
Over the weekend, Wacha came within three outs of a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates and said recently he's changed the way he uses some of his pitches and how he attacks hitters.
#STLCards Michael Wacha is 7-1 with a career best 2.41 ERA. What's led to the resurgence?
Wacha points to his elevated fastball and improved cutter. pic.twitter.com/RuA9J2aedr
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) June 5, 2018
Wacha would have to get even hotter to win the Cy Young this season, but even the fact he's being talked about as a top-10 candidate is incredible given the struggles he's had over the last two years.
