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The fact that the 2024 MLB regular season is sneaking up on us all is hard to believe. After a long, fun offseason, Opening Day is here on Thursday and folks can’t wait for the action to get underway. Having said that, star pitchers across both leagues are getting ready to put on a show against the best hitters on the planet. In the National League, there are some true studs, but as we enter Game 1, Spencer Strider is the favorite to win NL Cy Young. Will the hard-throwing righty get the job done?
Strider is coming off an unreal season for the Braves in 2023. Last year, the youngster went 20-5 and posted a 3.86 ERA. For him to reach 20 wins on the year was unreal and it most definitely blew the expectations out of the water. Strider of course went to the All-Star Game last year, as he showcased that despite it being his third year in the bigs, he has already entrenched himself as one of the best arms out there.
| NL Cy Young odds |  |  |  |
| Strider to win | +450 | +450 | +450 |
| Wheeler to win | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Webb to win | +850 | +850 | +850 |
| Gallen to win | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
More of the same is hopefully going to be on the way for him this season, as the Atlanta Braves are hoping to make a ton of noise from start to finish in ’24. The Braves’ season last year didn’t go as planned, as they suffered an early postseason exit. Now, though, they have strong World Series betting odds and a lot of experts think that they could return to the Fall Classic. The Dodgers, of course are standing in their way, but Strider and Co. will have something to say about that.
Per the best-rated sportsbooks, which includes the reliable Bovada review, Strider holds +450 MLB betting odds to win NL Cy Young, which shows you that there’s a lot of confidence in him earning the highest individual honor for a pitcher. There will be others who are hoping to get in the way of Strider accomplishing this, but we think he’ll prove that the future is bright for him. We’re going with Strider as our pick to win NL Cy Young.
Spencer Strider's Curveball is a Weapon. pic.twitter.com/s3Wyh6zXof
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 23, 2024
Strider will play a big role in the Braves trying to get back to the World Series
It goes without saying, but Strider will play a big role in the Braves trying to get back to the World Series. Entering the new season, Atlanta has +750 World Series betting odds, which is second in the National League behind only the Dodgers. Los Angeles is the top contender to win it all, but a lot of fans think that the Braves will be able to win their second title in the past five years. For that to happen, the starting pitching will need to be excellent.
That’s where Strider will come into play. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that this kid is only entering his fourth season in the major leagues. Don’t let that fool you, though, as Strider is widely considered a phenom. Manager Brian Snitker has full trust in him too, which is why he’ll be ready to send him out onto the bump for some of the biggest games of the year. Then when the postseason arrives, you know Strider will be ready to deliver as well.
5 days before #OpeningDay and Spencer Strider strikes out 6 in 4 IP. 💪 pic.twitter.com/GmzWujGgE7
— MLB (@MLB) March 23, 2024
“He has set that bar pretty high, and this spring has been no different,” Braves manager Snitker said on Strider and what he’s been able to get done for the NL East powerhouse early on in his career. “Just the way he goes about it and everything, I can’t say enough about him. Outcomes, good or bad, I don’t think for anybody should be overvalued. It’s got to be about the process, preparation and routines. I feel like we’re in a pretty good spot.”
Strider called it an ‘honor’ to be named the Opening Day starter, and he’ll hope to make a splash against the Phillies on Thursday. With Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper getting ready for big years, Atlanta fans would love nothing more than for Strider to silence both of them this week. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s going to end up happening or not, but we expect plenty of excitement for Strider and the Braves in ’24.
Other pitchers are in the hunt for the NL Cy Young honor
While a lot of people are excited about what Strider will be able to do this season, keep in mind that other pitchers are in the hunt for the NL Cy Young honor. This of course includes Phillies standout Zack Wheeler. A lot of focus for the Phillies goes to Harper and Schwarber, but don’t forget about the stud hurler.
Wheeler has been dominant when on the bump throughout his career. He’s beloved all over Philly and people can’t wait to see him make his season debut later this week. Per the oddsmakers, Wheeler holds +800 betting odds to win NL Cy Young. We’re still rocking with Strider, but Wheeler will be one to follow closely this spring, summer and fall. He’s going to be ready to turn a lot of heads.
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