MLB AL & NL Predictions and Favorites to Win
NL - Mookie Betts +165 at FanDuel Sportsbook
The Dodgers shortstop has been swinging the bat well over the last week, but we still aren’t sold on Mookie Betts (.341 BA, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 8 SB) winning the 2024 NL MVP. The former award winner has been putting up impressive run totals along with multi-hit games, but his power and speed numbers are trending in the wrong direction.
Our biggest concern about Betts is his power. He posted four home runs in seven games in March but has had just four since then. He made up for the power dip in April by swiping eight bases, but he has yet to register a steal in May.
Betts is seeing the ball as well as anyone in baseball, but his average is gradually coming back down to Earth. He has a .283 batting average through May 18, a number that includes his current hot streak. The Dodger star’s batting average is why he continues to be the betting favorite to win the NL MVP, but the dip in power and speed numbers has us going with another option.
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AL - Juan Soto +250 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Juan Soto (.317 BA, 11 HR, 37 RBI) had also seen a dip in his power numbers in May, but he began to turn that around with a two-home run effort on Saturday. That effort has continued the Yankee outfielder’s great May campaign, posting a .302 batting average and .524 slugging percentage so far. Those numbers can be partly attributed to hitting in front of a red-hot Aaron Judge, who has a .396 batting average and .906 slugging percentage this month.
We have been big believers in Soto since he was traded to the Yankees, and that hasn’t changed. He has given this team a piece that they missed badly when they went 82-80 in 2023. The team currently leads the AL East and has the second-best record in baseball, proving just how valuable Soto has been for New York this season.
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NL - Shohei Ohtani +350 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Honestly, we don’t understand why bookmakers haven’t made Shohei Ohtani (.350 BA, 13 HR, 32 RBI, 11 SB). All his numbers are better than his Dodger teammates and are among the best in the league. Ohtani leads the MLB in OPS (1.079), slugging percentage (.661), and hits (64) while ranking second in batting average and home runs.
His spot in the loaded LA lineup means his impressive numbers should continue this season. Ohtani was one of the best hitters in the league when he was with the Angels and spent half his time working on pitching. Now, he is hitting for one of the best teams in baseball and won’t be pitching this season, and the result has been the best offensive campaign of his career.
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AL - Bobby Witt Jr. +500 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Bobby Witt Jr. (.290 BA, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 15 SB) will win at least one MVP in his career, but it won’t be this year. The Royals shortstop continues to contribute across several categories, but his batting average is dropping fast. Witt is batting just .237 in May, with a dismal .333 on-base percentage. He has only managed one home run and six RBIs this month, leading many bettors to look towards the hot-hitting Juan Soto and Aaron Judge for their MVP wagers.
The drop in average limits his power and speed numbers, which he will need to compete with the likes of Soto and Judge. While we expect Witt to become a superstar, plate discipline remains a concern. While his .276 batting average in 2023 was solid, his .319 on-base percentage was a concern. The 23-year-old started the season looking far better, but some of those bad habits have returned.
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NL - William Contreras +700 at FanDuel Sportsbook
It is finally time for William Contreras (.350 BA, 7 HR, 37 RBI) to enter the NL MVP race. The Brewers acquired the catcher from the Braves in 2023, and he has broken out in 2024. He currently ranks second in the league in batting average, third in RBIs, and fifth in OPS (.980). He is locked in and seeing the ball well, plus he has shown incredible discipline at the plate. Combine that with the fact that he has the second-most caught stealings in the league, and you get a recipe for an MVP.
Given that Contreras is in just his second season as a full-time starter, there is some risk in betting on him to continue to play at this level. However, he is set up well with the Brewers. The young team has been one of the best lineups in the league, leading to big RBI totals for the budding superstar.
While average and RBI totals can put him in the running for the 2024 NL MVP, he’ll need more to overcome the production of Ohtani and Betts.
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MLB NL MVP Winner - My Pick
Shohei Ohtani +350 at Fanduel
Ohtani has been better than Betts, and his spot in the lineup means he’ll end up with far more RBI opportunities. The fact is we haven’t seen Ohtani’s full potential, thanks to his stint on his lackluster Angels team. His ability to hit for average and power is well established, but now he is starting to steal bases with 11 on the season. The two-time MVP’s career-high is 26 stolen bases, a record he could shatter this season.
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MLB AL Winners - My Pick
Juan Soto +250 at FanDuel
While Aaron Judge is heating up in a big way, we still like Soto to win the AL MVP. A big reason for that is how much better he has made the Yankees. New York was coming off one of their most disappointing seasons, and Soto was the biggest reason for their turnaround. He was able to help carry the offensive load while Judge slowly found his stroke, and he fits a key role the team was lacking in 2023. As long as Judge doesn’t put up another 60-home run campaign, Soto will take home the hardware this fall.
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MLB AL & NL MVP History
The modern MVP award dates all the way back to 1931 when the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voted to name Lefty Grove (AL) and Frankie Frisch (NL) as the winners. Before that, some version of an MVP award had existed since Ty Cobb won it in 1911.
Below is a list of some of the recent MVP winners from both leagues.
Previous AL MVP Winners
Year | Player | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Angles | OF/SP |
2022 | Aaron Judge | New York Yankees | OF |
2021 | Shohei Ohtani | Los Angeles Angels | OF/SP |
2020 | Jose Abreu | Chicago White Sox | 1B |
2019 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels | OF |
2018 | Mookie Betts | Boston Red Sox | OF |
2017 | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros | 2B |
2016 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels | OF |
2015 | Josh Donaldson | Toronto Blue Jays | 3B |
2014 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels | OF |
2013 | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers | 3B |
Previous NL MVP Winners
Year | Player | Team | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Ronald Acuna Jr. | Atlanta Braves | OG |
2022 | Paul Goldschmidt | St. Louis Cardinals | 1B |
2021 | Bryce Harper | Philadelphia Phillies | OF |
2020 | Freddie Freeman | Atlanta Braves | 1B |
2019 | Cody Bellinger | Los Angeles Dodgers | OF |
2018 | Christian Yelich | Milwaukee Brewers | OF |
2017 | Giancarlo Stanton | Miami Marlins | OF |
2016 | Kris Bryant | Chicago Cubs | 3B |
2015 | Bryce Harper | Washington Nationals | OF |
2014 | Clayton Kershaw | Los Angeles Dodgers | SP |
2013 | Andrew McCutchen | Pittsburgh Pirates | OF |
How to Read MLB Al & NL MVP Odds
MVP futures odds work the same as any other bet. Each bet includes a number next to the team or player, preceded by a plus or minus sign.
A plus sign in front of the number usually indicates an underdog, which is also common with futures bets. If the odds next to a team or player have a plus sign, that is the amount that you will win for every $100 you bet.
A minus sign usually indicates the favorite to win, though they are rarely seen for future bets. A minus sign in front of the odds means that is how much you need to bet to win $100.
For example, let's say you bet $100 on Pete Alonso +1500 to win the NL MVP. If he wins the award, you will win $1500.
If you aren't looking to bet $100 at a time, don't worry! Check out our odds calculator to help you determine potential winnings based on different wager amounts.
How to Choose the Best Sportsbook for Betting on the MVP
Now that you have some insights into both MVP races, it is time to find a sportsbook to place your bet. You can check out our full sportsbook reviews on our sportsbooks page, but below are some quick comparisons to help you decide.
BetMGM | Caesars | FanDuel | |
---|---|---|---|
MVP Odds for the Top Favorite in AL & NL | AL +250 NL +340 | AL +220 NL +325 | AL +250 NL +350 |
Welcome Bonus | Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets! | $1,000 First Bet on Caesars | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets |
Payment Options | - ACH Payments Bank Transfer - Visa - Mastercard - American Express - Discover credit card - PayPal - Neteller - Skrill | - ACH/ Instant Check - Credit Cards (Visa and Mastercard) - Debit Cards - Online Bank Transfer - PayPal - Caesars Prepaid Play+ Card - Skrill | - ACH Payments Bank Transfer - Mastercard - Visa - FanDuel Prepaid Card - Online Transfer - Wire Transfer - PayPal |
Withdrawal Time | Instant | Up to 72 hours | Instant |
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