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

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is an overwhelming favorite in this market after opening as the preseason +550 favorite. But it hasn’t been as simple as that sentence would suggest.

Juan Soto passed his teammate as the betting favorite within the season’s first week. Judge eventually reclaimed his spot atop this board after going on an incredible offensive heater early in the summer.

Judge’s only other MVP award came in 2022, when he clubbed a league-best 62 home runs. 

Remarkably, Judge is on pace to match or even beat many of his offensive marks from that impressive campaign.

Bobby Witt Jr. has recently passed Judge as the AL leader in fWAR with a hot stretch after the All-Star Break, but this appears to be Judge’s race to lose at this point.

Prediction: Aaron Judge (-400)

NL MVP Odds: Favorites

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 has been excelling in his DH-only role for the Dodgers.

Ohtani has recorded some of the longest home runs this season, including a 476-foot blast against the Colorado Rockies. He’s on pace to clear the 50-homer mark for the first time in his career.

In addition, Ohtani has seamlessly transitioned to the leadoff role in Betts’ absence.

With no other player in the NL trading better than +450 to win this award, it’s safe to say Ohtani is on his way to winning a third MVP. 

But that’s just another day at the office for the best player in the sport.

Prediction: Shohei Ohtani (-500)

MLB Betting Insights: MVP Race

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

AL MVP

• Highest Tickets: Juan Soto 12.5%
• Highest Handle: Aaron Judge 20.1%
• Biggest Liability: Gunnar Henderson

NL MVP

• Highest Tickets: Bryce Harper 14.5%
• Highest Handle: Shohei Ohtani 23.6%
• Biggest Liability: Elly De La Cruz

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).