Top 5 Cy Young Candidates 2026: Schlittler and Skenes Dominate Early Race |
NEW YORK — As the 2026 MLB season approaches the one-quarter mark, the races for the American League and National League Cy Young Awards are already taking shape, with a pair of standout aces emerging as clear frontrunners while several other pitchers position themselves for late surges.
New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler and Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes lead most early betting odds and expert polls, but a deep group of contenders keeps both races highly competitive. Here are the top five Cy Young candidates as of mid-May 2026, based on current performance, advanced metrics and expert consensus.
1. Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees (AL Favorite)
Schlittler has burst onto the scene as the early AL leader, boasting a sparkling 1.35 ERA through nine starts with a 5-1 record and 59 strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-hander has been nothing short of dominant for the Yankees, posting elite command and missing bats at an impressive rate. His combination of velocity, sharp breaking stuff and composure under pressure has many analysts calling him the clear favorite at 230 odds.
Yankees fans and opponents alike have taken notice of his ability to limit hard contact and work deep into games. If Schlittler maintains this level, he could become the first Yankees pitcher to win the Cy Young since CC Sabathia in 2007.
2. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates (NL Favorite)
The........