AL MVP Race Through One Month

We are around one month into the MLB season and it is a good point to begin looking at the American League MVP race. Remember that baseball is a tough sport so if you have a hot stretch in April, you could still end up with a lot of variance in their season. All odds are the consensus odds as of this writing so depending on the sportsbook you wager at, the odds can alter a little bit.

The best thing to do is make sure your predictions today can turn into cash by understanding how to manipulate the market. Let’s dive into some of the highest odds to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award for the 2022 season. 

Shohei Ohtani (+359)

It is very difficult to imagine a world where Shohei Ohtani is not going to be a consensus AL MVP bet as his ability to pitch and to hit at an All-Star level. As a pitcher, he is 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA in 26.2 innings with five walks and 41 strikeouts. As a hitter, he has a .240/.301/.394 slashline with four home runs and 13 RBI while stealing four bases on six attempts.

He is hitting at a decent level but the value is the fact that he can add a high-level starting pitcher as well to whatever he does. This Los Angeles Angels lineup provides protection as there is Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon in the middle of the order to keep pitchers not wanting to make mistakes. All in all, Ohtani always seems to be a great value and you just have to bank on him staying on the field.

Mike Trout (+374)

When you talk about the greatest players in MLB history, you don’t have to go a long time without mentioning center fielder Mike Trout. He is a three-time MVP so he knows what it takes to continuously play at that level. Trout has played well to begin the year as he has a 1.118 OPS with six home runs and 11 RBI while getting on base at an astronomical .447 clip.

It also helps as he has that same protection in the order but Ohtani seems like he will steal votes from Trout to the point that I do not believe in his MVP case at this point of the season. Wait a bit and this could change but after a month of play, I would avoid this bet.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr (+424)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr had a case at the AL MVP last season and has been a force to begin the year for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has shown the ability to dominate at the dish as he has a .911 OPS so far with seven homers and 19 RBI and has played well at first base so far as he has not committed an error.

This lineup is constructed for Guerrero to drive people in and dominate in a very deep Blue Jays lineup. He has a solid chance of being in contention but he feels like a bridesmaid in this and not the bride. The Jays are going to be a solid team, and that will help, but not the AL East Champions and that feels like it could knock some voters off of him. 

Jose Ramirez (+1000)

Here is where the longer odds come in and it begins with Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez. He currently has a 1.054 OPS with seven home runs, 29 RBI, and a pair of stolen bases. Ramirez has the second-highest OPS this season and is fifth in total hits. He is in a Guardians lineup with not many talented players to provide protection for him and that should not be ignored. His fielding is also superb as he can flash the leather at the hot corner. At +1000, I would definitely throw a flyer on him as it could be beneficial as the season progresses.