MLB MVP Odds: Braves Star Has Fans Singing Acuna Matata in 2023

The 2023 MLB MVP races promise to be among the most exciting in recent memory. We have taken a deep dive into the NL and AL races to establish the current favorites and provide our MLB MVP predictions for this season. 

We have used our experience as life-long baseball fans and veteran sports bettors to study each race closely. We know the players in contention in-depth and what factors can raise or lower their chances of capturing the MLB's most prestigious award.

We’ll track MVP races and their odds from the best MLB betting sites all season to ensure we always provide the most updated information.

AL MVP Odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook

NL MVP Odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook

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AL MVP Odds Analysis & Predictions

Shohei Ohtani (.288 BA, 11 HR, 32 RBI / 5-1, 3.23 ERA) moved further ahead of the pack this week. His bat has been fantastic; he has the tenth most home runs and seventeenth most RBIs in the league. However, things have not been as great on the mound recently. While he looked better against Minnesota on Sunday, he owned a 5.68 ERA in May before then. He isn’t allowing many hits but has struggled with the long ball. That was on full display on Monday, where he gave up four hits, but three were home runs. We think this is something that he will get fixed, so he’s still our favorite to win the 2023 AL MVP. 

After fading towards the back of the pack, Aaron Judge (.299 BA, 13 HR, 32 RBI) jumped back up this list as his bat has continued to stay hot. He played in six games this week and had five home runs and 12 RBIs while raising his batting average by 40 points. While he seems unlikely to top his record-breaking home run total from 2022, this run has undoubtedly boosted his numbers across the board. However, we don’t see him being able to do enough to top Ohtani this season, even if his bat can stay hot.

We haven’t talked about Wander Franco (.277 BA, 7 HR, 23 RBI1 14 SB) much in this piece this season, but he’s been hanging around week after week. His bat has been solid, but his speed has kept him on this list. He has the third most steals in the league, though he is ten behind the league leader. His average has been down in May (.257 BA), but he has still been finding ways to get on base. He is in a favorable spot hitting second in the best lineup in baseball, so expect to see him hang around this list for most of the season. However, it’s hard to see him having a real chance to win the award if he can’t boost his average or power numbers.

Franco’s teammate Randy Arozarena (.304 BA, 10 HR, 36 RBI) debuted in the top ten this week, and we expect him to hang around. The left fielder is ninth in the league in batting average and OPS (.933) while ranking sixth in RBIs. He has also added five steals, making him an incredibly dangerous part of this lineup. Arozarena stole 32 bases last season, so you can expect that number to improve as the season progresses. If he can continue to hit for power, he will suddenly become a top candidate for the 2023 AL MVP. 

Our Prediction: Shohei Ohtani (-125 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

Ohtani has struggled a bit on the mound in May, but not enough to jeopardize his case for AL MVP. His bat has continued to be impressive, and his RBI numbers will be great as long as he remains in the heart of this improved Angels lineup. While his ERA has continued to climb, it has been chiefly because of the home run ball. He can fix that, and it will drop his ERA quickly when he does. Minus a significant injury, Ohtani is a lock to win this year's AL MVP.

Our Favorite Bet: Yordan Alvarez (+2500 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This week, we remain firmly on the Yordan Alvarez (.293 BA, 10 HR, 41 RBI) bandwagon. The Astros have been on fire lately, charging toward the top of the AL West. Alvarez has been a big reason for their success, posting a .317 batting average, four home runs, and 14 RBI in May. He is nineteenth in the MLB in home runs, third in RBIs, and seventh in OPS (.959). He he is going to finish the season with a monster RBI total, and his average should hover around the .300 mark. If Ohtani falters in 2023, we love Alvarez to win the award.

NL MVP Odds Analysis & Predictions

Ronald Acuna Jr (.344 BA, 11 HR, 27 RBI, 18 SB) seems head and shoulders above the rest of the NL MVP field. He is second in the MLB in batting average, tenth in home runs, third in OPS (1.031), second in on-base percentage (.431 OBP), second in stolen bases, fourth in slugging percentage (.600), and first in WAR (3.1) and runs (44). Nobody else on this list is close to being as complete of a player as Acuna. His RBI total is the only major statistic that isn’t among the ten best in the league, but that is a result of him hitting at the top of this Atlanta order. Considering the Atlanta lineup's talent, Acuna may have the 2023 NL MVP all but locked up.

Pete Alonso (.233 BA, 17 HR, 41 RBI) had a massive week at the plate, hitting four home runs and totaling 10 RBIs last week. He leads the league in home runs and is third in RBIs. It’s been impressive, but his batting average is a problem. He has never been a .300 hitter but hit .271 in 2022. Considering how complete of a player Acuna is, Alonso will have to boost his average to remain a legitimate contender for the NL MVP.

Mookie Betts (.250 BA, 10 HR, 28 RBI) had a slow start to the season, but he is having a fantastic May. His average is still not where it needs to be, but he has been excellent at generating extra-base hits. Over his last five games, he has two doubles, a triple, and a home run. His position in a loaded Dodgers lineup should keep his name on this list, but he likely can’t compete with Alonso’s power numbers and Acuna’s balance. We’re recommending bettors avoid Betts at this point in the season.

Don’t forget about Bryce Harper (.306 BA, 2 HR, 6 RBI), who continues to regain his form after making his season debut on May 2. He has gotten on base in all but three games this month and sports an impressive batting average early. While his home run power hasn’t quite returned yet, he has been a doubles machine. If he can maintain a good average and add his typical power numbers, he could suddenly become a top contender for the NL MVP. That will be especially true if he can help turn the Phillies' season around.

Our Prediction: Ronald Acuna Jr (+125 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

If Acuna continues to play at this level, this race isn’t even going to be close. He has been incredible across every statistical category, and he plays for one of the best teams in baseball. Alonso is always a threat but only provides power numbers. The fact is that no one in the NL is close to being as well-rounded as Acuna, and that is going to lead to him winning the 2023 NL MVP.

Our Favorite Bet: Fernando Tatis Jr (+2000 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

We still love this bet, especially since Tatis’s (.281, 7 HR, 14 RBI) odds doubled this week. He is still getting back to full strength but is getting close to breaking out. He had two home runs in his weekend series against the Reds, and he’s added three stolen bases this month. He is a player that can contribute in multiple categories, making him a more significant threat to challenge Acuna than anyone else on this list. It’s still early for Tatis, but we love taking his odds while they remain this favorable. 

How to Read MLB MVP Odds

MVP futures odds work the same as any other bet. Each bet includes a number next to the team or player preceded by a plus or minus sign. 

A plus sign in front of the number usually indicates an underdog, but they are also common with futures bets. If the odds next to a team or player have a plus sign, that is the amount that you will win for every $100 you bet.

A minus sign usually indicates the favorite to win, though they are rarely seen for future bets. A minus sign in front of the odds means that is how much you need to bet to win $100.

For example, let's say you bet $100 on Pete Alonso +1500 to win the NL MVP. If he wins the award, you will win $1500. 

If you aren't looking to bet $100 at a time, don't worry! Check out our odds calculator to help you determine potential winnings based on different wager amounts.

Previous AL MVP Winners

Previous NL MVP Winners

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