MLB Futures Bets: Player Award Picks & Predictions (2026)
At the beginning of every month, I like to place a few MLB futures bets. We all love trying to cash a big futures ticket before the season starts, but sometimes the best value appears in season. Before we dive into the new wagers, let’s take a look at my current futures betting card:
- Seattle Mariners to Win the American League West (+100, +115) | Current Odds: -170
- Houston Astros Under 86.5 Wins (-115) | Current Record: 30 Wins (77-win pace)
- Chicago White Sox Over 67.5 Wins (-115) | Current Record: 34 Wins (77-win pace)
- Bobby Witt Jr. 30+ Home Runs (-115) | Current Total: 9 Home Runs
- Wyatt Langford 30+ Home Runs (+195) | Current Total: 2 Home Runs
- Chris Sale National League Cy Young Award Winner (+450) | Current Odds: +1400
- New York Yankees to Win the American League (+250) | Current Odds: +210
As we head into the dog days of summer, below are two futures bets I’m adding to my portfolio.
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MLB Futures Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Jose Ramirez: American League MVP (+3500)
The American League MVP race is currently wide open following Aaron Judge’s extended absence. Right now, Bobby Witt Jr. (+140) and Yordan Alvarez (+150) sit atop the market, and that’s completely understandable given the seasons they’re having.
But once again, Jose Ramirez is being overlooked.
Ramirez has finished inside the top five of American League MVP voting in four of the last six seasons, and continues to be one of the most complete players in baseball. While his start to the season was slower than we’ve come to expect, he’s beginning to heat up. In June, Ramirez is batting .333 with three doubles and two home runs, while the Guardians sit atop the American League Central.
What’s even more impressive is that Ramirez currently has more runs scored, home runs, RBI and stolen bases than Witt. If Cleveland remains atop the division and Ramirez continues producing at this level, voters will have a difficult time ignoring him.
At +3500 odds, the value is simply too good to pass up.
Munetaka Murakami: American League Rookie of the Year (+600)
Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle is the odds-on favorite (-135) in this market, and I don’t have much issue with that. He’s been excellent. However, I’m not convinced he’ll ultimately receive enough support from voters when the season ends.
McGonigle should be a terrific player for Detroit for many years, but voters historically tend to gravitate toward players who produce eye-catching power numbers and drive team success. Detroit currently sits in the cellar of the American League Central with just 27 wins. If this continues, I could see the Tigers as sellers at the trade deadline, looking for a fresh start in 2027.
Meanwhile, the White Sox have become one of the surprise stories of the American League. They sit just two games out of first place in the division and currently occupy the second Wild Card spot. A major reason for that success has been Munetaka Murakami.
Murakami leads all American League rookies in home runs and RBI and ranks second among all American League hitters in home runs, trailing only Yordan Alvarez. He also ranks inside the top 10 among American League hitters in runs, RBI, walk rate, ISO, slugging rate, wOBA and wRC+.
If the White Sox continue their playoff push during the second half, Murakami will be impossible to ignore. At +600 odds, there’s plenty of value on a player who has both the statistical profile and team narrative voters often look for.