We are just about two weeks into the 2021 MLB season and it has been a wild start, to say the least. We have already witnessed two no-hitters this year! The first one came from Joe Musgrove, which was actually the first Padres no-hitter in team history, while the second one came from Carlos Rodon of the Chicago White Sox.  Will we see these guys in contention for Cy Young down the line? Well, here are my predictions for this year’s American League and National League Cy Young Award.

American League

3. Lucas Giolito

Carlos Rodon already threw a no-hitter this year in front of a lively crowd. Who threw a no-hitter in an empty stadium last year? Lucas Giolito did. Giolito had a fantastic 2019 season where he made the All-Star team for the first time. He also had three complete games that year. After a great 2019, you had to wonder if Giolito was legit or not. He definitely proved that he was in 2020. Giolito is one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers in baseball, and I would not be surprised at all if he came away with the Cy Young this year.

2. Shane Bieber

“Wow!” That one word defines how great Shane Bieber was in 2020. After finishing fourth in the Cy Young voting in 2019, Bieber took matters into his own hands to make sure he would win it all in 2020. Bieber was flat-out dominant all season last year. Bieber had the best ERA in the majors at 1.63, had the most strikeouts with 122, was tied for wins with 8, and was also tied for the most quality starts with 10. Even though it was a shortened season, you cannot take any credit away from Bieber. He was clearly the best pitcher last year and there isn’t any reason why he can’t repeat that once again.

1. Gerrit Cole

When you talk to fans about who the best starting pitcher in baseball is now, you will most likely get mixed answers between Gerrit Cole and Jacob DeGrom. Fun fact, Gerrit Cole has never won a Cy Young before. He finished second in 2019 to his teammate at the time Justin Verlander, but you know Cole wants to take the crown home. Cole has had an ERA of under 3 the last three seasons, and he is doing it in style. Strikeout, after strikeout, after strikeout. Such a dominant pitcher. It is only a matter of time before Cole wins a Cy Young. Why not this year?

National League

3. Corbin Burnes

There was a time when people thought Corbin Burnes would just be a relief pitcher but that is definitely no longer the case. Burnes started in 9 of his 12 games last year. How impressive was he? In a shortened season where Burnes did not start all the games he pitched, he was still able to finish sixth in the Cy Young voting last year. Burnes had an ERA of 2.11, pitched 59.2 innings and struck out 88 batters in that time. The trend is only up for this guy. He is the real deal.

2. Trevor Bauer

You can call Trevor Bauer’s Cy Young Award from last season a “Mickey Mouse” (essentially an Award that was not hard to earn) award all you want, he will not take offense to it. Bottom line is that Bauer has been a dominant pitcher the last few years and was at the top of his game, especially last year. Bauer led the MLB in Hits Per 9 Innings Pitched at 5.055, along with striking out 100 batters. After signing with the World Champion Dodgers in the offseason, you know Bauer is ready to go out there and help the Dodgers repeat. A Cy Young along with that wouldn’t hurt.

1. Jacob DeGrom

Did you seriously think DeGrom would not be number one on this list? He may not get many wins because the Mets offense doesn’t feel like hitting when he pitches, but he will take Cy Young Awards home regardless of that. He won back-to-back Cy Youngs in 2018 and 2019. He seems to only be getting better the older he gets. An unbelievable talent that will definitely be in the conversation this year unless something drastically goes wrong.

Even though the league has been seeing more elite bats over the last few years, the same can be said for the pitching. More pitchers throw 100 mph now than ever before. Many other guys can be in contention for Cy Young as well, but the six guys listed above I believe are at the top of their games and are the six best pitchers in the league right now. We will see how things shake up over the calendar year.