MLB MVP Odds 2026: Can Anyone Dethrone Ohtani and Judge?

The MLB MVP (Most Valuable Player) Award is the most prestigious individual honor in professional baseball, given annually to one standout player in the American League (AL) and one in the National League (NL).

Aaron Judge (New York Yankees) has secured his third career MVP award in 2025 after a historic season where he hit 53 home runs and led the league in nearly every major hitting category.

On the other side, Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) has won his fourth MVP award (unanimously) after becoming the first player to win multiple MVPs in both leagues. His "value" is unique, as he continues to dominate as both a power hitter and an elite pitcher.

Let's check the odds and best candidates for the MLB MVP Winners in 2026.

MLB MVP Odds

Below, we’ll share the odds for the NL and AL MVP races from some of the best US sportbooks available today.

AL MVP Odds

NL MVP Odds

MLB MVP Winner Picks

Here are my picks for the standout players poised to separate themselves from the pack and take home baseball's most prestigious individual award.

AL MVP Winner - Aaron Judge (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Aaron Judge stands as a premier AL MVP candidate due to his historical ability to combine elite power with disciplined plate appearances. As the centerpiece of the Yankees lineup, Judge consistently produces high-impact metrics, including exit velocity and barrel rate, that dwarf his peers. His 2022 record-breaking season proved he can handle immense pressure while maintaining defensive value in the outfield.

Unlike players who rely on speed or high BABIP, Judge’s value is rooted in fundamental slugging and an exceptional eye, making his production more sustainable over a long season. If he remains healthy, his capacity to single-handedly carry an offense makes him the most logical choice for the award.

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NL MVP Winner - Shohei Ohtani (-320) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Shohei Ohtani represents a historic anomaly in baseball, making him a premier NL MVP candidate regardless of traditional betting metrics. After joining the Dodgers, he has focused exclusively on his elite offensive production while recovering from surgery, maintaining a pace that threatens the rare 50-50 club—a feat of combined power and speed never seen in MLB history.

Even as a primary designated hitter, his ability to lead the league in home runs, OPS, and runs created provides a statistical dominance that outweighs the lack of defensive value. Ohtani’s consistent clutch hitting and global star power make him the definitive centerpiece of a championship-caliber lineup, ensuring he remains the frontrunner for the award.

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MLB AL & NL MVP Winner History

Over the past four seasons, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have combined to win five MVP awards. The superstars are the favorites to add more hardware to their collection this season, but we have a lot of baseball to go.

Before the rise of Judge and Ohtani, the MVP races have been up for grabs in most seasons. Below are the last ten MVP winners from the AL & NL.

How to Bet on the MLB MVP

Doing your research before betting on this year’s winners of the MLB MVP awards is incredibly important. While Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have been the top two players in the league for a few years now, it hardly makes them a lock to win the award in 2025.

Before placing any wager on the MVP, we always recommend shopping for value. The favorites often see their odds lose value, meaning bettors have to wager more money to see a solid payout. Be sure to check the price on the other favorites before comparing stats and the other intangibles that MVP voters use when deciding on the winner.

If you are planning to bet on this year’s MVP races, be sure to get your bets in early to lock in the best value. These odds will be the best you’ll see as the field is whittled down by injury, slumbs, and other factors throughout the season.

How to Read MLB MVP Odds

Reading the odds for an MVP bet is reasonably straightforward. When checking odds from a sportsbook, you’ll see numbers with a (+) or (-) in front of them. The plus sign means that you will win the number after it when betting $100. If the number has a minus sign, you’ll need to bet that amount to win $100. 

Most sportsbooks organize the betting favorites according to their odds, making it easy to see. The biggest favorites will have a minus sign in front of their odds. The bigger the number, the more favored that player is. 

Be sure to remember that betting on heavy favorites means smaller payouts. For example, if you bet on Aaron Judge at -165, you’ll need to bet $165 just to win $100. If you instead wagered on Bobby Witt Jr., you’d need to spend $100 for a chance to win $450. Given that the betting favorite isn’t a lock to win the award, we prefer to look for players with more favorable odds. 

Where to Bet on the MLB MVP

There is no shortage of sportsbooks to wager on the MLB MVP. Thanks to their fantastic platform and competitive odds, Caesars Sportsbook is always a great choice. Caesars brings us the most Las Vegas-feeling betting experience, so it is our go-to option. Sign up for an account today using our Caesars Sportsbook promo code WSNDYW and claim the welcome offer: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings 10x.

Known as the "King of Sportsbooks," BetMGM Sportsbook consistently rolls out some of the most competitive and aggressively updated futures odds in the industry, ensuring you get maximum value whether you are riding a heavy favorite or sprinkling on a high-upside sleeper. Their ultra-sleek platform makes diving into the futures market a total breeze, and a barrage of daily profit boosts, high-value Bet & Get promos, make it even more appealing. Sign up today with our BetMGM bonus code WSNSPORTS to claim the following welcome offer: Get Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets*.

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