The opening 2024 MLB MVP odds for the beginning of the season are live at the best MLB betting sites. With an assortment of talented players stepping onto the diamond in 2024, there are several intriguing options for bettors.
After thoroughly analyzing the odds, I have isolated the best bets to make before the season’s first pitch. Read on to find my top AL and NL MVP predictions for 2024 below.
MLB MVP Award 2024 Betting Odds
The 2024 MLB MVP odds for the American League and National league are courtesy of BetOnline. Let’s check them out!
AL MVP Odds for 2024
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Aaron Judge | +550 |
| Juan Soto | +600 |
| Corey Seager | +800 |
| Yordan Alvarez | +900 |
| Julio Rodriguez | +900 |
| Adley Rutschman | +1600 |
| Gunnar Henderson | +1800 |
| Kyle Tucker | +1800 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | +1800 |
| Mike Trout | +2000 |
New York Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge is the odds-on favorite to win the AL MVP award. At +550, Judge’s 2024 American League MVP odds represent an implied probability to win of 15.4%. He is followed closely by teammate Juan Soto, who currently has +600 odds to win AL MVP in 2024.
NL MVP Odds for 2024
| PLAYER | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | +400 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +500 |
| Mookie Betts | +700 |
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | +900 |
| Freddie Freeman | +1100 |
| Bryce Harper | +1200 |
| Matt Olson | +1400 |
| Austin Riley | +1600 |
| Corbin Carroll | +2000 |
| Trea Turner | +2200 |
According to BetOnline, Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves is a favorite to repeat as NL MVP. Currently, Acuna Jr.’s 2024 National League MVP odds are the shortest in the NL at +400. That equals an implied probability of 20% to win the NL MVP for the second consecutive year.
In Shohei Ohtani’s first season in the NL, he has the second-best MVP odds at sports betting sites. He won’t pitch in 2024, so he will likely need record-breaking offensive numbers.
American League MVP Betting Favorites in 2024
Three AL MVP favorites who rank above the rest, according to the latest 2024 MLB MVP odds at BetOnline: Let’s start our analysis of the contenders with them.
Aaron Judge (+550)
Aaron Judge’s MVP chances will hinge on staying healthy. If he gets through this season in the absence of major injuries, Judge will be on the shortlist of MVP candidates.
2023 MLB Season Recap
In 2023, Judge was ultimately active in 106 games after the most memorable year of his career.
Despite not being able to follow up with another historical season after breaking the American League home run record in 2022, Judge was in good form when he was in the lineup.
The star finished the 2023 campaign with a .267 batting average, 37 home runs, and 75 RBIs. He posted a strong .406 OBP and 1.019 OPS, as well.
It’s a departure from his staggering 62 home runs and 2022 AL MVP campaign, but Judge’s heavy bat was always a serious threat1. The hip and toe injury were the only thing preventing him from more significant numbers in 2023.
Judge 2024 MLB Season Predictions
If Judge avoids the injury bug, I expect him to trend close to roughly 50 home runs and 120 RBIs. I recommend looking back at what Judge did in his sophomore season in 2017.
The guy hit .284 with 52 home runs and 114 RBIs in 155 games. That is likely where he is trending this year. It will be difficult to match his production from 2022, but Judge going close is more than possible.
He also had an MVP-worthy campaign in 2017, though the Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve ultimately won the award. Overall, a healthy Judge is always a threat.
Juan Soto (+600)
Judge’s new Yankee teammate is right behind in the race for American League MVP. Soto’s AL MVP odds suggest that he and Judge could engage in a friendly rivalry in the race for the award.
Soto will play for an AL club for the first time in his career. After spending the first five years of his career with the Nationals, the star landed on the West Coast with the Padres for two years.
The 25-year-old slugger is expected to benefit greatly from going from Petco Park to Yankee Stadium.
2023 MLB Season Recap
Although Soto played in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the Major Leagues, he hit the most home runs of his career. The slugger swatted 35 home runs while hitting .275 with a .410 OBP.
Soto came just one RBI of matching his career-high 110 RBIs in 2019, but still just eked out a career-high in long balls.
Another reason to like his chances is related to his recent condition. Soto suited up for all 162 Padres games which shows his durability. Since 2021, the player has been injury-free and has played a minimum of 151 games in each season.
Soto 2024 MLB Season Predictions
One of the strongest left-handed hitters in MLB at Yankee Stadium? I fully expect Soto to break new career highs without any issues in 2024.
Juan Soto raises his spring average to a crisp .700 pic.twitter.com/yktCXqtq2x
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) March 6, 2024
Last season, he smacked 12 home runs and a .240 batting average at home. Away from Petco Park, Soto hit 23 long balls and a .307 average2.
Soto is going to have the most enjoyable year of his career in the Bronx. His battle with Judge is going to be the race of the summer in the American League.
Corey Seager (+800)
With the Rangers bringing back another solid roster after winning the 2023 World Series, I expect this team to be competitive again. In addition to Seager, the Rangers have two rookies at the top of the MLB Rookie of the Year odds.
Last year was fantastic for the superstar. He won the World Series and came close to winning the AL MVP. Seager earned 264 points to finish second in MVP voting, though he won World Series MVP.
Only Ohtani beat him for the 2023 AL MVP after earning ten first-place votes3.
2023 MLB Season Recap
The Rangers paid Seager $325 million to lure him away from the Dodgers in 2022. It seemed like a lot of money at the time, but the investment paid off.
Corey Seager is with some ELITE company. 👀 #Top100RightNow
h/t: @SlangsOnSports pic.twitter.com/ozTeE7jsBu
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 25, 2024
Seager rewarded the Rangers with a career-high .327 batting average and 33 home runs. His 33 home runs, .623 SLG, and 1.013 OPS are all career-high marks for the 29-year-old native of Charlotte, North Carolina4.
However, Seager was off the pace with the top WAR numbers in MLB. He was seventh with a WAR of 6.9 in 20235, trailing teammate Marcus Siemian’s 7.4 WAR
Seager 2024 MLB Season Predictions
Despite Seager watching Ohtani go to the NL, now he has to deal with Soto’s transfer from the NL to the AL. That’s another big bat in a large market to overcome.
Seager should maintain his production from last year, but even if he does, it likely isn’t going to be enough to overcome the top contenders.
Along with Judge and Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Yordan Alvarez are expected to take a big run at the AL MVP. Ohtani’s exit does not necessarily equate to an easy MVP campaign.
National League MVP Betting Favorites in 2024
With Ohtani making the switch from the AL to the NL, he has a chance to win back-to-back MVP awards in two different leagues.
However, the 2024 MLB NL odds currently favor Acuna Jr. in the National League:
Ronald Acuna Jr. (+400)
If you had Acuna Jr. as your NL MVP prediction last season, it was an exciting year watching the Atlanta Brave torch pitchers on most days.
After I cashed with Acuna Jr. in 2023, is it wise to go back to the well with the 26-year-old superstar from Venezuela?
2023 MLB Season Recap
After three years of suffering various injuries, Acuna Jr. was able to go a full season. His production exemplified how dangerous the man can be when he has a clean bill of health.
Acuna Jr. easily eclipsed his career highs in runs (149), hits (217), RBIs (106), walks (80), batting average (.337), stolen bases (73), and tied his previous high of 41 home runs6.
The prolific pace resulted in Acuna Jr. posting a WAR of 8.1, only trailing Mookie Betts and Ohtani. Additionally, he became the first player to join the 40+ home runs, 70+ stolen bases club.
Acuna Jr. 2024 MLB Season Predictions
Like with Judge, if Acuna Jr.’s health is a big factor. If he remains injury-free, he will throttle the ball at the plate. At 26 years old, Acuna Jr. has just reached the prime of his career and should continue to perform at a high level.
Eclipsing more than 70 stolen bases might be tough, but reaching roughly 65 seems likely. If that comes with another .337 batting average and 41 home runs, or thereabout, Acuna Jr. is looking at another MVP award.
Acuna Jr.’s talent at the plate is his obvious weapon, but his arm from right field shouldn’t be underestimated. There is room for improvement as a defender, though Acuna Jr.’s cannon arm will be an asset once again in 2024.
Shohei Ohtani (+500)
Ohtani can do something that hasn’t been done in MLB since the 1960s by winning back-to-back MVP awards in different conferences. Frank Robinson is the only player to win MVP in the AL and NL.
The two-way phenom can one-up that accomplishment by doing it in consecutive seasons. However, due to an injured elbow, he will not pitch until 2025 at the earliest.
Ohtani will play exclusively as a DH this season, so forget about him in your Cy Young predictions. But what about the 2024 National League MVP Award?
2023 MLB Season Recap
Ohtani was a force on the mound and at the plate in his final season in Anaheim. He posted an ERA of 3.14 with a 1.06 WHIP in 23 starts with the Angels. Also, he had the first complete game of his career in 2023.
Although Ohtani will be unavailable as a pitcher, the first-year Dodger did plenty of damage with the bat in his hands. He notched a .304 batting average, .412 OBP, 44 home runs, and a 1.066 OPS.
And yet, Ohtani won the 2023 AL MVP for his dual-threat ability as a pitcher and batter. Without stepping on the mound, can he win as a DH?
Ohtani 2024 MLB Season Predictions
I expect Ohtani to rack up the runs and RBIs in this lineup. He will have several opportunities to hit with RISP and for teammates to bring him around the bases to home plate.
Shohei Ohtani homers in his @Dodgers #SpringTraining debut. 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/o6vMUHKUR4
— MLB (@MLB) February 27, 2024
The power numbers are going to be there for Ohtani, as well. That being said, not pitching and playing exclusively as a DH will hurt his chances for MVP in the NL.
He’ll need to be in 2022 Judge form to make a serious push. It’s certainly possible that Ohtani does something incredibly special, but he must be close to perfect as a hitter to win the award.
Mookie Betts (+700)
Betts had an MVP-like season a year ago, but he finished as the runner-up behind Acuna Jr. If it wasn’t for the eventual winner swiping every base and reaching the 40-70 club, Betts may have won the 2023 NL MVP award.
I’m sure he will be eager to come back stronger this season.
2023 MLB Season Recap
According to WAR, Betts had more success than Acuna Jr. last season. The 31-year-old native of Nashville, Tennessee, finished with the second-highest WAR in baseball.
Betts’ 8.4 WAR was only topped by Ohtani’s 10.1 WAR. He finished ahead of Acuna Jr., who posted 8.1.
In his third season with the Dodgers, Betts recorded a .307 batting average, .408 OBP, 39 home runs, and 107 RBIs. The difference between Betts and Acuna Jr.?
The Brave had 73 stolen bases, while Betts notched just 14 stolen bases in 20237. Nevertheless, the WAR metrics had Betts ahead of Acuna Jr.
Betts 2024 MLB Predictions
The arrival of Ohtani should only elevate Betts’ stock. Along with Freddie Freeman, these three are going to be dominant at the top of the order for the Dodgers.
Betts should continue to perform at an elite clip in 2024. With Acuna Jr. not being the healthiest player in baseball over the past few years and Ohtani unable to pitch, the door could be open for Betts to be the king of the National League.
Best MLB MVP Award Sleepers in 2024
Consider including MVP dark horses in your MLB baseball betting strategy. There is often a lot of value to back longshots, so I have a few suggestions to get you started.
Best AL MVP 2024 Longshots
- Gunnar Henderson (+1800) – A year after cruising to the AL Rookie of the Year award, expect Henderson to take another huge leap forward with the Orioles in 2024.
- Bo Bichette (+2500) – Perhaps one of the most underrated players in MLB, the Blue Jays’ Bichette isn’t as far off the AL MVP discussion as the odds suggest.
Best NL MVP 2024 Longshots
- Corbin Carroll (+2000) – The 2023 NL Rookie of the Year’s NL MVP odds jumped from impossible odds to +500 in the second half of the season. Integral for his role in leading the Diamondbacks to the World Series, backing Carroll is excellent value at +2000.
- Pete Alonso (+2800) – Finishing third in total home runs in 2023, Alonso might be an injury or two away from jumping into the NL MVP race.
2024 MLB MVP Predictions and Picks
Let’s conclude our 2024 MLB MVP betting preview with a look at my best AL and NL MVP picks.
AL MVP Prediction and Best Bets for 2024
For my 2024 MLB AL MVP betting pick, I am giving Soto the most consideration at +600. In the prime of his career at 26, he is set to have the best season of his career with the Yankees.
In a hitter’s park at Yankee Stadium, the left-handed Soto is going to benefit greatly from playing in the Bronx. Whenever the Padres left the pitcher-friendly Petco Park, Soto looked like an MVP hitter on the road.
Judge will put up huge numbers, but 2024 is the year of Soto in the Bronx and the AL. I recommend backing Soto for your top 2024 AL MVP pick.
NL MVP Prediction and Best Bets for 2024
The NL MVP contest is more interesting than ever with Ohtani in the mix. Still, I do not foresee him attracting enough votes as a DH. The public will get behind Ohtani, though he is up against it without stepping on the mound.
Acuna Jr. is clearly a contender to win back-to-back MVP awards. If he experiences any sort of regression, Betts should be there to pick up the pieces, though. Second in WAR last season, only Ohtani had a stronger number than Betts. It wasn’t Acuna Jr.
On top of that, Betts has proven that he is durable. The Dodgers’ right fielder has played in a minimum of 130 games in seven of the previous eight 162-game seasons. Acuna Jr. is going into the season with a knee injury and hasn’t been the most injury-free player in the Majors.
If you add the excellent odds of +700, Betts is a top 2024 NL MVP betting pick in 2024.
Sources
Aaron Judge Stats | MLB.com. Retrieved From “https://www.mlb.com/player/aaron-judge-592450”
Juan Soto Stats | MLB.com. Retrieved From “https://www.mlb.com/player/juan-soto-665742”
2023 MLB MVP Award voting results | MLB.com. Retrieved From “https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-mlb-mvp-award-voting-results”
Corey Seager Stats | MLB.com. Retrieved From “https://www.mlb.com/player/corey-seager-608369”
MLB Wins Above Replacement – WAR | ESPN. Retrieved From “https://www.espn.com/mlb/war/leaders”
Ronald Acuna Jr. Stats | MLB.com. Retrieved From “https://www.mlb.com/player/ronald-acuna-jr-660670”
Mookie Betts Stats | MLB.com. Retrieved From “https://www.mlb.com/player/mookie-betts-605141”
