The battle for the National League Cy Young Award in 2025 has intensified between Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler and Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes. As the season progresses, Wheeler’s recent surge has tightened the race against Skenes, who started the year as the heavy favorite. This compelling duel is drawing significant attention from fans and bettors alike as the NL Cy Young Race approaches its crucial final phase.
Current Standings in the National League Cy Young Award Race
Paul Skenes enters this stretch of the season as the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award, holding odds near -175. Skenes has delivered an exceptional campaign with a league-leading 1.83 ERA across 20 starts and has amassed 146 strikeouts over 133 innings pitched. Despite being part of the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team that has struggled overall this year, Skenes’s individual dominance mirrors previous Cy Young winners like Felix Hernandez and Jacob deGrom, who also thrived on weaker teams.
Meanwhile, Zack Wheeler has made significant strides in closing the gap on Skenes, putting pressure on the young flamethrower with his odds now hovering between +125 and +140. Wheeler, a two-time runner-up for the award (2021 and 2024), maintains his standard of excellence with a 2.56 ERA in 21 starts and leads the National League in strikeouts with 172 over 133.2 innings. His strong performances have been instrumental in Philadelphia’s position atop their division, and his team’s playoff contention could sway voters looking favorably on team success when making their decisions.
Secondary Contenders and Their Prospects in the Award Race
While Skenes and Wheeler have established a clear lead, a handful of other pitchers remain on the periphery. Christopher Sanchez of the Phillies has seen his odds improve to about +4500, positioning him as a potential dark horse. Other candidates like Logan Webb (+6000 to +8000) and Robbie Ray (+8000) from the San Francisco Giants, as well as Andrew Abbott, Ranger Suarez, Nick Lodolo, Matthew Boyd, and Freddy Peralta (all clustered around +7500), are still listed but would need significant changes—including injuries or dramatic declines from the two leaders—to seriously threaten for the Cy Young Award.
Updated 2025 NL Cy Young Betting Odds
- Paul Skenes -175
- Zack Wheeler +130
- Carlos Sanchez +4000
- Andrew Abbott +7500
- Ranger Suarez +7500
- Nick Lodolo +7500
- Matthew Boyd +7500
- Freddy Peralta +7500
- Robbie Ray +8000
- Logan Webb +8000
Approaching the Race with Responsible Betting Practices
With the NL Cy Young Race becoming a popular focus for sports wagering, it is important for bettors to exercise caution and discipline. Engaging responsibly maximizes enjoyment and minimizes financial risk, especially as the gambling landscape continues to grow.
- Set a Strict Budget: Only bet money that can be comfortably lost, avoiding funds required for essential expenses like rent or groceries. Treat any loss as part of the entertainment cost.
- Don’t Chase Losses: Losing streaks are common, and increasing bets to recoup losses usually worsens the situation financially.
- Use Safety Tools: Take advantage of features offered by trustworthy betting platforms, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options, to keep spending in check.
- Keep Realistic Expectations: Understand that gambling is for recreation, not profit. Losses are more likely than wins, so any money won should be seen as a bonus rather than guaranteed earnings.
Being a responsible participant means balancing excitement with control, ensuring the experience remains positive and does not lead to serious problems.