Dodgers loaded in NL Cy Young race as Yoshinobu Yamamoto emerges among early favorites
The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels, February 21st, 2026 in Tempe Arizona. LOS ANGELES — Less than a week into the 2026 MLB season, the National League Cy Young race is already shifting — and the Los Angeles Dodgers are right in the middle of it. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has emerged as one of the early favorites, listed at 11/2 (+550) odds at BetOnline.
ag, placing him firmly among the top contenders for the award. Yamamoto’s presence highlights the Dodgers’ remarkable pitching depth, with four of their starters appearing on the odds board. Joining Yamamoto are Blake Snell (33/1), Tyler Glasnow (40/1) and Shohei Ohtani (28/1), giving Los Angeles more representation than any other team among the early Cy Young candidates, according to BetOnline.
The early movement at the top of the odds reflects how volatile the race can be. Paul Skenes, who won the 2025 NL Cy Young Award in his first full season, opened as a heavy favorite to repeat. But his first start of the season quickly changed the outlook.
Skenes allowed five earned runs while recording just two outs, leaving him with a staggering 67. 5 ERA after one outing. Even a dominant bounce-back performance would leave his ERA significantly inflated in the early going.
That stumble opened the door for Cristopher Sanchez, last year’s Cy Young runner-up, who capitalized with six shutout innings, no walks and 10 strikeouts in his season debut. Sanchez now sits atop the board as the new favorite at 3/1, followed by Skenes at 4/1. Yamamoto’s positioning just behind them underscores both his expectations and the Dodgers’ standing as a pitching powerhouse.