The MVP is the individual accomplishment in Major League Baseball. Awarded annually to the best player in the American and National Leagues, it defines seasons, careers and Hall of Fame cases.
So far this season, the 2023 MLB MVP odds have Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani as the favorite in the AL and Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. favored in the NL. Below, we break down these MLB futures and some of our top picks:
MLB American League MVP Odds
Player | Odds |
---|---|
Shohei Ohtani (LAA) | -110 |
Mike Trout (LAA) | +800 |
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) | +1400 |
Wander Franco (TB) | +1400 |
Yordan Alvarez (HOU) | +1800 |
Aaron Judge (NYY) | +1800 |
Matt Chapman (TOR) | +2200 |
Adley Rutschman (BAL) | +2500 |
Julio Rodriguez (SEA) | +2500 |
Bo Bichette (TOR) | +3300 |
Rafael Devers (BOS) | +3300 |
Odds as of May 11, 2023
Ohtani Is The Clear AL MVP Favorite
He pitches, he hits, and he does both at an All-Star level (or maybe better). As long as he's healthy, Ohtani's going to remain atop these MVP odds for the next decade. What really makes Ohtani's case this season is the pitching success. He's on pace to throw a full slate of games this year while leading MLB in strikeouts per nine and allowing the fewest hits per nine against — utter dominance.
One key for Ohtani will be keeping his Angels in playoff contention, though. With the Astros' slow start to the season, Los Angeles has been able to hang in the AL West race early. If Ohtani really wants to run away with a second MVP, he probably needs the Angels to be in the playoff mix in September.
Why Adley Rutschman Is Our Best AL MVP Bet
Adley is everything the Orioles thought he could be when they selected him first overall in the 2016 MLB draft. Even with other standout performances to start the year in the AL, Rutschman's AL MVP case is stronger than most:
1) The Orioles look like real playoff contenders, and nobody is more important to their overall team success than Rutschman
2) Baltimore is committed to playing him almost every day, mixing Adley in at DH even when he's not catching.
3) He's on pace to have one of the best offensive seasons by a catcher since 2015, while ranking out well above average in framing and throwing out runners.
It may not all combine to give Rutschman the AL's top individual award this season, but I'd be shocked if he doesn't have a few MVP trophies in his case soon enough.
Player | Year | PA | wRC+ |
---|---|---|---|
Buster Posey | 2021 | 439 | 145 |
Sean Murphy | 2022 | 481 | 135 |
Adley Rutschman | 2023 | 167 | 134 |
Will Smith | 2022 | 472 | 133 |
Jonathan Lucroy | 2016 | 500 | 133 |
MLB National League MVP Odds
Player | Odds |
---|---|
Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL) | +175 |
Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD) | +1000 |
Pete Alonso (NYM) | +1000 |
Juan Soto (SD) | +1400 |
Mookie Betts (LAD) | +1600 |
Matt Olson (ATL) | +1800 |
Trea Turner (PHI) | +1800 |
Sean Murphy (ATL) | +2000 |
Austin Riley (ATL) | +2200 |
Bryce Harper (PHI) | +2200 |
Manny Machado (SD) | +2200 |
Max Muncy (LAD) | +2200 |
Paul Goldschmidt (STL) | +2200 |
Freddie Freeman (LAD) | +2500 |
Odds as of May 11, 2023
Acuña Running Away With NL MVP?
We may have forgotten just how dominant The Ronald can be. Acuña Jr. was hurt in 2021 and had a down year last season, but he's back in a big way for 2023. Just under 40 games into the season, he leads the NL in hits, runs, stolen bases, and total bases. That's all while slashing an incredible .347/.438/.576 with an OPS over 1.000. With nobody else really having a spectacular start to the season in the NL, Acuña is in a tier of his own in the MVP race.
Ronald Acuña Jr. muscles this one 470 feet! 💪
— MLB (@MLB) May 11, 2023
(MLB x @HankookTireUSA) pic.twitter.com/pkDU7cxfL2
Bryce Harper's Back In The Race
Bryce Harper came back months early from Tommy John recovery just in time to save the Phillies' offense. He's got plenty to overcome to earn the NL MVP, including a month of missed time and the inability to play in the outfield all year. But, if Harper can post gaudy offensive numbers, he'll have a shot at the league's top award.
MVP voters love a good narrative — just look at Aaron Judge's homer-filled 2022. Nobody would have a better narrative than Harper if he is able to come back early from injury and push himself into the top tier of NL MVP candidates over the next few months.
Making A Futures Bet
A futures bet is a wager made on events or milestones that will happen in time. The MLB MVP bet is a form of futures betting because you are making a pick based on an outcome determined at the end of the MLB regular season. The trophy is usually given out in mid-November and if you want to get a bigger payout, it’s best to lock in your bets sooner rather than later so you can take advantage of better odds. The closer it gets to the end of the season, the more the odds will change.
How To Read MLB MVP Odds
The above chart features the MLB MVP odds for each top player in the American League and National League. At your sportsbook of choice, betting lines for MVP could look something like this:
Mookie Betts +650
Ronald Acuna Jr. +1000
Freddie Freeman +1200
This means that Betts is the favorite since he has the lowest odds and the highest chance of winning the prop, according to oddsmakers. If you were to bet $100 on Betts and he won, you would get a payout of $750 – your original $100 is returned along with your winnings of $650.
On the other hand, if you strongly believe that Freeman will shine in Los Angeles, a winning $100 bet on him would yield $1,300 – your $100 comes back along with your prize of $1,200.
Our odds calculator will show you how much you’d win based on the odds and amount bet.
MLB MVP Odds FAQ
Can I bet on MLB MVP odds?
You can bet on MLB MVP odds before and throughout an MLB season. In fact, you can wager on Major League Baseball’s American and National League Most Valuable Player. The MVP is an annual MLB award given to one outstanding player in the AL, and one in the NL. The MLB MVP has been awarded by the Baseball Writers' Association of America since 1931.
Who are the favorites for the 2023 MLB MVPs?
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels is the favorite for the AL MVP at +210, while San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto is favored to win the NL MVP at +550.
Who won the MLB MVP in 2022?
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won Major League Baseball’s American League Most Valuable Player award in 2022, while Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt took home the National League Most Valuable Player award in 2022.
Has any MLB player won Rookie of the Year and MVP?
Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki are the only two MLB players to ever win Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season, while Fernando Valenzuela is the only MLB player to win Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award in the same season.