MLB Futures: Best Odds & Bets for 2022 MVP
The MLB is slightly different than all of the other sports because of the fact that it’s so unpredictable. In the NFL, most of the time, the same teams make the postseason. In the NBA, the same can be said. However, in the MLB, there are always surprises.
Last year, the Minnesota Twins were picked by some to win the AL Central and in the NL West, the San Francisco Giants were picked to finish third in the division. The Giants finished in first in the National League while the Twins sunk with many injuries and poor play.
Usually, to win the MVP award, players have to be on good teams that make the playoffs. That’s usually the rule of thumb. Here are a couple of options to choose from if you’re looking to bet on the AL or NL MVP before the season begins.
Check out all of our consensus MLB MVP futures odds >>
American League
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+500)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit .311 last season with 48 home runs and 111 RBIs. He was easily the best one-dimensional player in the MLB last season. However, Shohei Ohtani took home the MVP because he pitched and hit at an incredible rate. If Ohtani keeps up a consistent level of play on both sides of the ball, it’s going to be hard for anyone to win that award but Ohtani. But Ohtani doesn’t have much value.
Guerrero Jr. nearly hit 50 home runs and had an OPS that was greater than 1.000. At 23 years old, Vlad is not even in his prime yet. If he hits more than 50 home runs, voters are going to have to vote for Guerrero Jr.
Bet: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+500) at Caesars
Yordan Alvarez (+3000)
Alvarez hasn’t been talked about much when it comes to the MVP conversation. But last year he hit .277 with 33 home runs and 104 RBIs. Alvarez is very capable of being a .300 hitter or close to it and has plenty of power to get himself in front in the MVP conversation.
The Astros are going to be relying on Alvarez more frequently with Carlos Correa out of the picture. He’s the franchise guy along with Alex Bregman and Jose Altuve. Because he’s a designated hitter, that could hurt his chance at this award but most people only pay attention to hitting when it comes to the MVP award. Give Alvarez a thought.
Bet: Yordan Alvarez (+3000) at Caesars
National League
Juan Soto (+300)
Juan Soto is the clear favorite for this award. He’s got odds of +300 and has Ronald Acuna Jr. behind him at +700. Acuna Jr. won’t even start the season on time and won’t start playing until May as he’ll be on the Injured List. So, therefore, Soto is a major threat to win this award after hitting .313 with 29 home runs and 95 RBIs.
However, the Nationals aren’t projected to make the playoffs and the Washington lineup looks a bit weak. That could hurt Soto with his RBI chances and his runs scored despite hitting an OPS of .999. Soto will be the best hitter but might not be the best player for the award.
Bet: Juan Soto (+300) at Caesars
Matt Olson (+2500)
Matt Olson had a career year last season with the Oakland Athletics, hitting 39 home runs with 111 RBIs. In Oakland, Olson was hitting in a pitcher’s friendly ballpark. Now he’s in Truist Park with the Braves, where lefties have so much more power. Olson is a younger version of Freddie Freeman and can do basically the same things.
Freeman won the MVP award in the pandemic season too. So we’ve already seen a first baseman with Atlanta win the award. Why not Olson?
Bet: Matt Olson (+2500) at Caesars
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Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.