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MLB Pitching Futures: Odds, Predictions For Wins, Saves, Strikeouts

Summary

Pitching awards now rely heavily on advanced statistics like WHIP and FIP, though traditional categories such as wins, strikeouts, and saves remain key betting markets. The favorites for the most wins in 2026 include Tarik Skubal (+800), Paul Skenes (+1400), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (+1600), with Bryan Woo (+1800) as a longshot value pick.

For strikeouts, Skubal (+350) and Skenes (+400) lead the odds, followed by last year’s leader Garrett Crochet (+500). In the saves category, Edwin DĂ­az (+400) is favored due to his move to the high-win Dodgers, while Mason Miller (+800) and AndrĂ©s Muñoz (+1300) are top contenders. The best betting value often lies with longer shots rather than the obvious favorites.

Pitching statistics have evolved over the last couple of decades as analytics have altered so much.  Gone are the days when winning the most games would give a hurler the edge to win a Cy Young. Now, it’s all stats,  WHIP, ERA, FIP. Still, wins, saves and strikeouts are all tracked and each market offers betting opportunities. Let’s dive in.

Contenders For Most Wins

Tarik Skubal, Tigers +800

Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball, having won the Cy Young in two straight years. But last season, Skubal didn’t lead MLB in victories. In fact, he finished 12th with 13 wins.  In 2024, he tied for the most wins with 18.   Skubal’s efficiency and dominance were unmatched but can he reach his career-high again, because it’ll likely take 18-20 wins to lead the Majors. 

Paul Skenes +1400

Paul Skenes is considered the next pitching superstar in MLB.  He already has a Cy Young and in two seasons, he has won 21 games.  He’s expected to contend for the pitching triple crown but the biggest question for Skenes will be can the Pirates can provide enough run support in his starts for him to get the decision. 

Yoshinobu Yamamoto +1600

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named World Series MVP and in two seasons, has combined for 19 regular-season victories.  In 2025, Yamamoto went 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA, .99 WHIP and 201 strikeouts.  Yamamoto will become even more dangerous in 2026 as he won’t need much run support to pull out decisions.  If you’re looking for double-digit odds on a big-time pitcher, this is the guy.

Longshot Pick:  Bryan Woo, Mariners +1800

Bryan Woo started 30 games and won 15 last season.  And his projections aren’t far off for 2026.  Woo had a breakout season that saw him go 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA and earn his first All-Star appearance.  Seattle is once again considered a playoff team, and with Woo in the rotation, he should improve his numbers, which could be good enough for this title.  And at +1800, the price is definitely right.

Odds for Most Regular Season Wins

Tarik Skubal +800 Garrett Crochet +1100

Christopher Sanchez +1100 Max Fried +1200

Paul Skenes +1400 Logan Webb +1600

Yoshinobu Yamamoto +1600 Dylan Cease +1800

Bryan Woo +1800

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Contenders For Most Strikeouts

Tarik Skubal, Tigers +350

In the last two dominant seasons, Tarik Skubal has 469 strikeouts, including leading MLB in 2024 with 228.  He actually had 241 last year but Garrett Crochet had 255.  Still, the ‘best pitcher on the planet’ averaged 7.8K’s per start last season. Skubal will be in the 200’s again, but is his price too short?  

Paul Skenes, Pirates +400

In his two seasons in the pros, Paul Skenes has gone from 170 strikeouts to 216 last year on his way to a Cy Young.  One of the hardest throwers in the game, Skenes has all the tools to increase his Ks total in 2026 as he finished fourth overall in 2025.

Garrett Crochet, Red Sox +500

Garrett Crochet led the Majors in 2025 with 255 strikeouts, his second straight 200+ strikeouts (209 in 2024).  Crochet has shown he can mow down batters with ease and he’s just entering his prime.  In recent years, some of the favorites have done well winning three of the last four winners (Skubal +3500 in 2024) including Crochet last year.

Longshot Pick:  Dylan Cease, Blue Jays +1000

Dylan Cease signed with the Blue Jays after 5 straight seasons with more than 200 Ks.  He’s projected to have 214 this season, 5th most but Cease is priced better and has shown consistency.  He’ll want to impress in Toronto and if he continues his throwing accuracy, Cease would offer value in this market.

Odds for Most Regular Season Strikeouts

Tarik Skubal +350 Paul Skenes +400

Garrett Crochet +500 Yoshinobu Yamamoto +600

Hunter Greene +800 Dylan Cease +1000

Cole Ragans +1400 Jacob deGrom +1600

Chris Sale +2000

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Contenders For Most Saves

Edwin Diaz, Dodgers +400

Edwin Diaz arrives in LA after nine seasons with the Mets and Mariners and won this crown in 2018.  While he finished with just 28 saves last season, he’ll have ample opportunity with the Dodgers who are expected to lead the league in wins.  If he’s the answer to the Dodgers’ ninth-inning issues, Diaz will rack up the saves, especially with the run support on that roster.

Mason Miller, Padres +800

Mason Miller’s highest single-season save total is 28, achieved during his 2024 rookie season with the Oakland Athletics. That season, he converted 28-of-31 save opportunities with a 2.49 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 65 innings. He would record 22 total saves with the A’s and Padres after being traded.  He should be in the running and will improve his numbers in San Diego.

Andrés Muñoz, Mariners +1300

Since becoming a full-time reliever, AndrĂ©s Muñoz has improved each season going from 13 saves in 2023, 22 in 2024 to a career-best 38 saves last season.  With the Mariners considered a World Series contender, Muñoz should have opportunities to exceed last year’s total in Seattle.

Longshot Pick: Ryan Helsley, Orioles +3000

The Orioles signed Ryan Helsley to a two-year, $28 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles to be their top reliever.  In 2024, Helsley had the most saves in the majors with 49 but his numbers dropped to just 21 between the Cardinals and Mets.  Moving to the Orioles should provide him with more opportunities and at this price, for a former winner, it’s hard to pass up.

Odds for Most Regular Season Saves 

Edwin Diaz +400 Mason Miller +800

Josh Hader +1000 David Bednar +1000

Andres Munoz +1200 Devin Williams +1400

Aroldis Chapman +1400 Jhoan Duran +1400

Carlos Estevez +1800

Final Thoughts

While there are obvious studs in the pitching fraternity, the betting value isn’t there when you take the favorites.  There are some pitchers in each market, who can surprise in 2026 and as we’ve seen in the past few seasons, there’s always players who come out of nowhere to clinch these pitching titles.

Shane Pratt Shane is a seasoned sports betting handicapper and analyst with more than 3 decades of experience breaking down odds, trends and matchups across all major leagues. Known for data and stats-driven insights, specializing in NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NHL and MMA.

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