MLB MVP Odds: 2024 AL & NL Favorites

Ronald Acuña Jr. (National League winner) and Shohei Ohtani (American League winner) were both unanimous MVPs in 2023, marking the first time that had been done since the voting process began in 1931.

According to the latest MLB odds, this year’s MVP races are shaping up to be equally convincing. 

Ohtani and Aaron Judge continue to fiercely compete for their respective MVP awards, maintaining their lead as the top contenders as the season progresses.

AL MVP Odds: Favorites

(Odds as of late Sept.)

Judge is expected to win this year’s American League MVP award.

Odds for this market have been pulled since the regular season ended, but he was trading at -5000 in late September. That gave him an implied probability of 98.04% at the time.

Judge led the majors with 58 home runs during the regular season, finishing with four more blasts than Ohtani. His 144 RBI also bested Ohtani by 14 for the top mark in MLB. His number were truly historic in his age-32 season.

To top it off, the Yankees finished as the No. 1 seed in the American League. Team performance doesn’t usually matter in the MVP race, but Judge’s campaign covers all the bases. He will win this award by a comfortable margin.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was Judge’s only real challenger this season. Witt would have won the award in most years, making him a viable MVP bet in the coming seasons.

Prediction: Aaron Judge

NL MVP Odds: Favorites

(Odds as of late Sept.)

If Ohtani can win the MVP award in a year when he doesn’t pitch, does anyone stand a chance when he returns as a two-way superstar?

Ohtani’s debut season as a Dodger has exceeded all expectations, especially for oddsmakers. He started the year with +900 odds to win the MVP, ranking third behind Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuña Jr.

Injuries to the NL MVP favorites certainly boosted Ohtani’s MVP chances. Betts looked like the early front-runner until a pitch hit him in mid-June.

However, Ohtani thrived in his DH-only role for the Dodgers.

Ohtani became the first player in MLB history to join the 50-50 club, finishing with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. He also led the NL with 130 RBI, despite batting in the leadoff spot after Betts was sidelined.

Ohtani recorded some of the longest home runs this season, including a 476-foot blast against the Colorado Rockies.

This year’s NL MVP award is going to a truly special player. And I can’t wait to see him pitch again.

Prediction: Shohei Ohtani

MLB Betting Insights: MVP Race

Here are the latest betting insights for the MVP markets at the online sportsbook:

AL MVP

• Highest Tickets: Bobby Witt Jr. 17.3%
• Highest Handle: Aaron Judge 18.4%
• Biggest Liability: Bobby Witt Jr.

NL MVP

• Highest Tickets: Bryce Harper 15.2%
• Highest Handle: Shohei Ohtani 22.1%
• Biggest Liability: Bryce Harper

2023 AL MVP Voting

2023 NL MVP Voting

List of AL & NL MVP Winners

List of MVP Winners

MLB Players With Most MVP Awards

Barry Bonds has won the most MLB MVP Awards (seven):

• Barry Bonds: 7
• Mike Trout: 3
• Albert Pujols: 3
• Alex Rodriguez: 3
• Mike Schmidt: 3
• Mickey Mantle: 3
• Yogi Berra: 3
• Roy Campanella: 3

MLB Teams With Most MVP Awards

The New York Yankees have the most MLB MVP Awards (23):

• Yankees: 23
• Cardinals: 21
• Dodgers: 14
• Giants: 14
• Athletics: 13

Has an MLB Rookie Ever Won MVP?

Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki are only rookies to win MVP.

Lynn did it first, winning AL MVP in 1975 after guiding the Boston Red Sox to 95 regular-season wins and an appearance in the World Series. Ichiro won AL MVP in 2001 as the Seattle Mariners tied the MLB record for most wins in a season (116).