It’s time to start looking at the online betting options for National League’s Cy Young award, and this prop is usually a hard one to gauge for online betting players. Here is a look at the players who should be in the running for the award, including the defending Cy Young winner, as well as two previous winners and a World Series MVP.

Tim Lincecum - San Francisco Giants

The pitcher they call the “Freak” exploded in 2008, going 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA, and his 265 strikeouts were tops in the majors. If there had to be a concern about Lincecum’s season, it’s that he gave up a few more walks than other pitchers of his caliber, but that’s nit-picking, more or less. The key for Lincecum this season will be to prove that last year was no fluke, as teams have had an offseason to figure out his unique delivery. Most sportsbook odds should find Lincecum at or near the top of the list, and fantasy owners will fall over themselves to draft the 24-year-old.

Johan Santana - New York Mets

Santana won the Cy Young in the American League with Minnesota in 2004 and 2006, and he may have won last year if he had some run support. Santana was 16-7 with a NL-leading ERA of 2.53, but in a six-game stretch that earned Santana four losses, the Mets scored more than two runs only once, and four of the losses were by a run. Santana had some offseason surgery to his knee and he should be ready by Opening Day, and after a full year to get used to NL hitting, those who bet sports can expect a big year from “Johan the Great”.

Brandon Webb - Arizona Diamondbacks

The NL Cy Young winner in 2006, Webb was well on his way to another one last year before a three-game stretch late in the year in which he allowed 21 runs, along with the Diamondbacks’ collapse to miss the postseason. Webb rebounded to win his last three decisions, and finished with a 22-7 record and an ERA of 3.30. MLB betting players should give Webb a long look as he is one of the most consistent pitchers in the game, and he’s guaranteed for at least 225 innings.

Cole Hamels – Philadelphia Phillies

The NLCS and World Series MVP of the Phillies’ championship run, Hamels was 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA while increasing his strikeout total, and allowing only three more homers in 44 more innings of work. Hamels has battled elbow tightness throughout the preseason and he’s being monitored very closely, but the young southpaw should be fine, although he won’t start on Opening Day. Still, watch closely for Hamels’ MLB odds this season.

Dan Haren – Arizona Diamondbacks

Haren would be an ace almost anywhere else, but he forms with Webb, one of the most powerful duos in any rotation in either league. Haren was 16-8 with an ERA of 3.33, along with a career-high 206 strikeouts, and his 40 walks were his lowest since becoming a full-time starter four years ago in Oakland. After averaging almost 220 innings over four years, it’s pretty safe to say Haren is a dependable starter and at 28 years old, he’s in the prime of his career. If you’re looking for a MLB betting darkhorse, Haren is your man.