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A wave of early-season pitcher injuries is wreaking havoc on MLB futures bettors.
The bludgeoning started with Gerrit Cole before the 2024 season even began.
Cole’s attempt to defend his American League Cy Young crown ended when he was sidelined with an elbow injury in mid-March, keeping him out until at least May and perhaps beyond.
The injury burned bettors who wagered on a second straight Cy Young for the Yankees’ ace, who had been the favorite in the field before the elbow troubles cropped up and is now off the board at most major sportsbooks.
It’s only gotten worse since then.
In the National League, the preseason favorite Spencer Strider is also sidelined with an elbow injury.
The Braves’ flamethrower had been a huge +375 favorite on Opening Day and is also now off the board as the baseball world awaits a timeline on his return.
Strider had massive expectations among sports bettors coming into the season.
Spencer Strider came into the season as the NL Cy Young favorite. Getty ImagesAs of April 11, Strider had garnered 13.9 percent of bets and 24.4 percent of the handle to win the NL Cy Young award at BetMGM Sportsbook – both figures are easily the most in the field.
On the same day as the Strider news, the Guardians announced that starter Shane Bieber would undergo season-ending Tommy John Surgery, knocking out yet another Cy Young contender in the Junior Circuit.
Bieber came in at +1200 to win the award but started getting some love from bettors after two strong starts to open the season.
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Although he won’t pitch again until at least 2025, Bieber currently has the second-highest handle (12.7 percent) to win the award behind Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (19.4 percent).
All of this, and we still aren’t even halfway through April.
Those injuries leave Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes (+450, BetMGM) and Zack Wheeler (+500, BetMGM) are the current leaders in their respective races.
The past month’s rash of pitcher injuries is a reminder to remain vigilant when betting on fragile throwing arms.
