By Only Players Staff
Updated 9/2/24 11:58am ET
In what is being discussed as sports betting history, the NL Rookie of the Year race has provided an unprecedented odds swing that did not involve an injury.
Former top overall pick and rising star Paul Skenes began August as a -6000 favorite. One sportsbook even stopped offering odds on the award because it appeared decided. The stud righty had started the All-Star Game and even peaked as the second NL Cy Young favorite with +400 odds.
Meanwhile, San Diego Padres centerfielder Jackson Merrill steadily climbed the betting board and is now an overwhelming favorite of -800 at FanDuel and -900 at DraftKings, while Skenes has +550 odds.
The All-Star Merrill has generated his own buzz, thanks to five game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the ninth inning or later this season. All this as the Padres push for a Wild Card berth, while Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates dwell in the cellar.
Skenes will also see his innings limited by management, hoping to preserve his career. Those restrictions and a starting pitcher’s inability to play every game undoubtedly skews the race (and betting odds) towards position players.
In the last decade, only one pitcher has won the Rookie of the Year award in each league. Thus, only two of the past 20 winners have been pitchers.
Photo Courtesy: Icon Sportswire
