2024 MLB MVP Odds: NL MVP and AL Contenders, Betting Strategy, and Timeline

The MVP is the top prize in baseball and is given to the best player in each league. As we get to the midpoint of the season several players are stepping up as top contenders. The MLB MVP odds show us who they are. In the American League the AL MVP odds are wide open with several players playing out of their minds. The AL MVP has the big dogs who control their teams. Same with the National League the NL MVP odds have a lot of stars. Looking at these MVP odds as we go through the season gives us a good idea of who’s in the running for this award. The MVP odds aren’t just about current performance but also future potential so the AL MVP and NL MVP are the most fun part of the MLB season.

The top AL contenders have shown great talent and consistency so they are the favorites for MVP. According to the latest MLB MVP odds, Aaron Judge of the Yankees and Shohei Ohtani are at the top. Judge’s hitting and leading the Yankees has moved his AL MVP odds up big time. Gunnar Henderson’s two way abilities has kept him in the mix and MLB MVP odds reflect that.

The Yankees have benefited from Judge’s great performance and also from other good players they’ve added to the mix. Henderson’s versatility and consistency makes him a perennial favorite as seen in the current AL MVP odds. These top contenders are why the AL MVP race is so tight and the MLB MVP odds reflect that.

As the season goes on, keep an eye on the AL MVP odds to see who keeps their hot streak going. Also compare them to the NL MVP odds to get a bigger picture of the overall MVP race and the talent and grit of these top players.

As the race for the American League MVP heats up, bettors are keen to find the best odds across various sportsbooks. This analysis compares the odds offered by Bet365, BetRivers, and DraftKings for the top contenders, providing insight into where the best value can be found. Understanding these differences can help bettors make informed decisions.

Sportsbook AL Odds Comparison

AL Odds Analysis

Aaron Judge

• Bet365: -240
• BetRivers: -335
• DraftKings: -300

Aaron Judge is the clear favorite across all sportsbooks. Bet365 offers the best value at -240, making it the preferred choice for those looking to bet on Judge.

Gunnar Henderson

• Bet365: +300
• BetRivers: +350
• DraftKings: +260

Gunnar Henderson's odds vary significantly. BetRivers offers the highest return at +350, making it the best option for betting on Henderson.

Juan Soto

• Bet365: +1200
• BetRivers: +1400
• DraftKings: +1700

Juan Soto is less favored compared to Judge and Henderson but still a strong contender. BetRivers provides the better value at +1400 and DraftKings further still at +1700.

Bobby Witt Jr.

• Bet365: +1600
• BetRivers: +2000
• DraftKings: +2000

Bobby Witt Jr. is seen as a dark horse in the MVP race. BetRivers and DraftKings again offers the highest potential return at +2000.

Jose Ramirez

• Bet365: +2500
• BetRivers: +4000
• DraftKings: +4000

For those willing to take a bigger risk on Jose Ramirez, BetRivers and DraftKings offers the highest odds at +4000, making it the best value bet for Ramirez.

Other Contenders

Kyle Tucker, Yordan Álvarez, Jarren Duran, Adley Rutschman: Available only on BetRivers, these players are long shots, with odds ranging from +6500 to +10000.

Top Contenders in AL

1. Aaron Judge (New York Yankees, CF)
   Judge has been dominant, leading the league in key offensive categories such as home runs and RBIs. His performance has been pivotal for the Yankees, even as the team faces challenges​ (MLB.com)​​​.
2. Juan Soto (New York Yankees, RF)
   Soto's impact on the Yankees has been significant, with impressive stats and a crucial role in revitalizing the team's lineup​ (MLB.com)​​.
3. Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles, SS)
   Henderson has excelled both offensively and defensively, making him a formidable presence in the Orioles' lineup​ (Sportsnaut)​.
4. Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals, SS)
   Witt's speed and defensive skills, along with his offensive production, have kept him in the MVP conversation​ (MLB.com).
5. José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians, 3B)
   Ramírez's consistent performance and leadership make him a strong candidate, with significant contributions in home runs and RBIs​ (FOX Sports)​.

The race for the National League MVP is highly competitive, with several standout players vying for the title. This analysis compares the odds offered by Bet365, BetRivers, and DraftKings for the top contenders, providing bettors with a clear picture of where the best value lies.

Sportsbook NL Odds Comparison

Top Contenders in NL

Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers, DH)
Ohtani's offensive numbers, despite not pitching this season, make him a leading candidate for the NL MVP​ (MVP.com)​.

Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies, 1B)
Harper's return to form after injury has been impressive, keeping him in the MVP race with strong offensive stats​ (MLB.com)​​.

Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers, 1B)
Freeman's consistency and clutch hitting for the Dodgers make him a strong MVP candidate​ (Baseball-Reference)​.

Marcell Ozuna (Atlanta Braves, DH)
Ozuna's power at the plate and ability to drive in runs are key factors in his MVP candidacy (Baseball-Reference).

Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks, 2B)
Marte's versatility and strong offensive numbers make him a valuable player for the Diamondbacks. (MLB.com)

Past MVP winners have come from playoff teams and their individual stats are usually top 5 in the league. Trends show that players with high batting average, home runs and good defense are favored. Winning MVP is not just about individual excellence, it’s also about being able to contribute to your team’s success and being in playoff contention.

Last few years have shown us this is true:

2023 MVP

• American League (AL): Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) – Ohtani’s two-way ability as a pitcher and a hitter makes him stand out. He had great stats with .304 average, 44 HR, 95 RBI and pitched well too.
• National League (NL): Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves) – Acuña had .331 average, 41 HR, 106 RBI. He was the reason the Braves made the playoffs​

2022 MVP

• American League (AL): Aaron Judge (NY Yankees) – Judge had .311 average and 62 HR, a new AL record. He was the reason the Yankees made the playoffs​
• National League (NL): Paul Goldschmidt (SL Cardinals) – Goldschmidt had .317 average, 35 HR, 115 RBI and was the reason the Cardinals made the playoffs​​

2021 MVP:

• American League (AL): Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels) – Ohtani had .257 average, 46 HR, 100 RBI and 9-2, 3.18 ERA as a pitcher. Two-way MVP
• NL: Bryce Harper – .309 average, 35 HR, 84 RBI​. MVP.

Picking a favorite player is simply one aspect of betting on the MLB MVP; other factors include evaluating player performance, team performance, and historical tendencies. Knowing the nuances of baseball betting is essential for bettors to make wise choices. With examples from bookmakers like BetRivers, DraftKings, and ESPN BET, here's a look at how to wager on the MVP safely.

Analyzing Player Performance

1. Current Season Stats: Pay attention to the player's WAR (Wins Above Replacement), batting average, home runs, RBIs, and on-base percentage. Shohei Ohtani, for instance, is a serious contender for MVP based on his season-long statistics, which include his highest WAR and home run totals.
2. Advanced Measures: Examine more sophisticated measurements such as exit velocity, wOBA (Weighted On-base Average), and OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) in addition to conventional statistics. 
3. Consistency: Throughout the season, always assess a player's consistency. Players with a history of consistent high performance, such as Bryce Harper or Freddie Freeman, are frequently safer picks than those with inconsistent results.

Team Success

• Team Standings: A player's team performance significantly impacts their MVP chances. MVPs often come from teams that are performing well in the league standings. For instance, a player from a top team like the Los Angeles Dodgers is more likely to be considered for MVP than a player from a lower-ranked team.
• Playoff Potential: Players whose teams are likely to make the playoffs generally have better MVP odds. Keep an eye on the playoff race and how teams are performing, as a strong finish to the season can boost a player’s MVP chances.

Historical Trends

• Past MVP Winners: Review the profiles of past MVP winners to understand common traits. Historical data shows that MVPs are usually from teams with winning records and have standout statistics in multiple categories.
• Injury History: Consider the injury history of players. Players with a history of injuries may be riskier bets as their chances of getting injured again are higher. For example, tracking injury reports on sites like Rotowire can help you stay informed.

Responsible Gambling Practices

1. Set a Budget: Determine a betting budget based on what you can afford to lose and stick to it. All the mentioned sportsbooks offer tools to set deposit limits to help you manage your spending.
2. Research and Analysis: Make informed bets based on thorough research. Utilize resources like MLB statistics, analyses on ESPN, and advanced metrics from FanGraphs.
3. Avoid Chasing Losses: If you lose a bet, do not try to quickly win it back by making impulsive bets. Take a step back, analyze what went wrong, and approach your next bet with a clear mind.
4. Use Responsible Gambling Tools: Most regulated sportsbooks provide tools to help you gamble responsibly. These tools include self-exclusion options, deposit limits, and time-out periods to help you stay in control.
5. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news, player injuries, and team performance to make informed betting decisions. Subscribing to sports news platforms like ESPN or following MLB updates can provide valuable insights.

When betting on the MVP, it’s essential to approach your wagers with a well-thought-out strategy for responsible gambling. Here are some best practices to help you make informed decisions while maintaining control over your betting activities.

Focus on Key Players and Teams

• Strong Start to the Season: Pay close attention to players who have started the season with impressive performances. A strong start often sets the tone for the rest of the season and can significantly boost a player’s MVP chances. For instance, Shohei Ohtani’s early dominance in both pitching and hitting makes him a favorite.
• Pivotal Roles on Contending Teams: Players who are central to their team’s success are more likely to be considered for the MVP. For example, Freddie Freeman’s leadership and performance with the Dodgers significantly impact their standing, making him a viable MVP candidate.

Diversify Your Bets

• Spread the Risk: Rather than placing all your money on a single player, diversify your bets across several candidates. This strategy helps mitigate the risk and increases your chances of winning. For instance, you could place smaller bets on top contenders like Ohtani, Bryce Harper, and Freddie Freeman.
• Consider Long Shots: Including a few long-shot bets can be beneficial. Players like Marcell Ozuna or Ketel Marte may have lower odds but offer higher payouts if they win. Trusted sportsbooks like Bet365, BetRivers, DraftKings, and ESPN BET often provide attractive odds for these players.

Stay Updated on Player Health and Team Performance

• Monitor Injuries: Player health is crucial in betting on the MVP. Injuries can drastically affect a player’s performance and their odds of winning. Regularly check injury reports on platforms like ESPN or MLB’s official site to stay informed.
• Team Performance: The success of a player’s team can influence MVP voting. Players on teams that are playoff contenders generally have better odds. Keep track of team standings and performances throughout the season.

The MVP is usually announced after the World Series, with the BBWAA members voting. It’s a highly scrutinized process where they evaluate each player’s season long performance. Each voter ranks their top 10 and assigns points to each rank, with the player who gets the most points wins the MVP.

The BBWAA members are seasoned journalists and baseball experts so the votes are informed and reflect the players’ actual contributions to their teams. The results are kept secret until the announcement, which adds to the hype. Historically the MVP announcement is a big deal in the baseball calendar, often live and all over the sports media.

In recent years they’ve also added advanced stats and analytics to the voting process to get a better picture of a player’s value. Metrics like WAR (Wins Above Replacement), OPS (On-base Plus Slugging), and wOBA (Weighted On-base Average) are now considered along with the traditional stats like batting average, home runs and RBIs.

The 2024 MLB MVP race is looking to be a great and close one. With great performances in both leagues, the season will have many exciting moments as the players battle for the award. By following the top contenders and using betting insights you can get deep into the MVP race.

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