The MLB All-Star break not only gives players a few days away from the circus life of the big-league schedule but also allows books and bettors to catch their breath and look ahead to the second half of the slate.

During this down time, most sportsbooks post their MLB award props, offering odds on American and National League Cy Young Awards. Here’s a quick rundown of those odds along with a look at the favorite and a value dark horse bet:

American League Cy Young

Favorite: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers +200

Verlander has stepped back a bit from his numbers of 2011, but a lot of that has to do with the Tigers offensive woes. He still boasts a 2.58 ERA and nine wins heading into the break and his 128 strikeouts are tied for most in the majors.

Dark horse: Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers (Field +600)

Darvish has lived up the hype and the dollar signs in the first half of the season, posting 10 wins and 117 K’s to go along with a 3.59 ERA. The Rangers’ big offseason purchase was given an All-Star Game nod by the fans and will be challenged by the summer and the schedule in the second half of the season.

Odds to win AL Cy Young:

Chris Sale +250      
C.J. Wilson +800      
Ernesto Frieri  +1800      
Felix Hernandez +1500      
Jake Peavy +1200      
Jered Weaver +250      
Justin Verlander +200      
Matt Harrison +800      
Field +600    

National League Cy Young Award

Favorite: R.A. Dickey, New York Mets +250

The knuckleballer was the big story in the Big Apple to start 2012 but he’s run into trouble in recent starts. Dickey still hasn’t suffered a loss since the third start of the year (April 18) and is second in the NL with 123 strikeouts. Perhaps an All-Star start snub will motivate him further in the second half of the slate?

Dark horse: Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants +600

It’s tough to tag a guy who pitched a perfect game as a “dark horse", but Cain is giving terrific value on the NL CY Young futures board. He’s keeping the Giants in the NL West race, despite the struggles of fellow ace Tim Lincecum, with the help of Madison Bumgarner – another Cy Young long shot. Cain comes into the break with a 9-3 record and a 2.62 ERA, getting the start for the NL All-Stars Tuesday.

Odds to win NL Cy Young:

Cole Hamels +1000      
Gio Gonzalez +650      
James McDonald +650      
Johnny Cuerto +350      
Madison Bumgarner +1200      
Matt Cain +500      
R.A. Dickey +250      
Stephen Strasburg +1000      
Zack Greinke +1200      
Field +600

Odds courtesy of TheGreek.com.