2022 American League MVP Betting Pick
It’s no surprise that Shohei Ohtani is favored in the American League MVP betting odds once again. He had one of the most incredible seasons in league history a year ago. Ohtani was a force both at the plate — 46 homers and a league-leading eight triples — and on the mound — 3.18 ERA and 156 strikeouts. That performance won him the 2021 MVP and the best online sportsbooks like his repeat chances. Here are the full MVP odds:
| Player |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | +350 | +350 |
| Mike Trout | +450 | +450 |
| Vlad Guerrero Jr. | +500 | +500 |
| Luis Robert | +1800 | +1800 |
| Aaron Judge | +2000 | +2000 |
Ohtani might’ve had a once-in-a-lifetime season in 2021. Really, it was that incredible. But if so, then regression has to be expected this season for the reigning MVP. While we think Ohtani can still play at an elite level both as a hitter and pitcher during 2022, a drop-off should be expected. The question is, how big of a drop-off? It’s tough to say, but he’ll constantly be compared to his 2021 stats and when he inevitably falls short, “the narrative” won’t be kind, whether it’s fair or not.
The door is open for someone else in the AL to steal the MVP this season. That someone is Vlad Guerrero Jr. Heck, Vlad's 2021 campaign that included hitting .311 with an MLB-high 48 home runs and an AL-best 1.002 OPS would’ve been an MVP season most years — except the year someone outdoes Babe Ruth as a two-way player.
Guerrero is only 23 years old, but it finally clicked for him a season ago. Talent has never been the issue for the big swinger. Instead, the big question mark was about his commitment to training and taking care of his body. Guerrero erased those questions a year ago. Looking noticeably slimmed down, Guerrero tore up the plate all 2021. He led the league in not just home runs, but also runs and bases.
The crazy thing to think about is that 2022 will mark only the second full season of Guererro’s young career. He hasn’t even come close to maxing out his unreal talent. Whereas Ohtani should regress this season, we expect Guerrero to progress and if so, it’ll be hard to NOT win the MVP with that type of gaudy offensive production.
2022 National League MVP Betting Pick
Bryce Harper is the reigning NL MVP. However, unlike Ohtani, the most popular baseball betting sites don’t have Harper as the top MVP candidate in 2022. He’s “only” third in the 2022 National League MVP betting odds. Here’s which players are ahead of Harper (and below him):
| Player | | |
|---|---|---|
| Juan Soto | +300 | +300 |
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | +700 | +700 |
| Bryce Harper | +900 | +900 |
| Mookie Betts | +1000 | +1000 |
| Freddie Freeman | +1200 | +1200 |
| Trea Turners | +1600 | +1600 |
As you can see, Soto is a runaway favorite. The gap between him and the next-best player in the odds is a +400 difference. We understand the optimism because Soto is the surest player in the whole league to get a base when he steps to the plate. Soto played 151 games a season ago. He not only tallied 157 hits, but he also walked 145 times. Soto might be second-to-none when it comes to purely hitting.
But here’s why we have our doubts about Soto: his team. The Nationals play in the loaded NL East that includes the reigning World Series winners (the Braves) and two playoff-caliber teams (the Mets and Phillies). Washington might not even make the playoffs, and in that scenario, Soto’s MVP candidacy takes a major hit. How’s he going to be the most valuable player when his team can’t even sniff the wildcard game?
Rather than Soto, we’re going to take a “leap of faith” and wager on Ronald Acuna Jr. It’s a leap of faith because Acuna is on the 10-day injured list as he works his way back from a torn ACL that cost him the back-half of the 2021 season. Before that costly injury, Acuna’s stat line consisted of hitting 283/.394/.596 with 24 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 82 games.
We’ll admit betting Acuna is a risk given he’s still out (and might remain so until early May). But hey, this is why we gamble. His +700 betting line is worth taking a flyer on because when he’s healthy, few in baseball impact their team more than Acuna with the championship-reigning Braves.
How To Bet On MLB 2022 Futures?
MLB futures bets for 2022 are abundant — AL pennant, NL pennant. World Series, team wins total, and we could go on and on. To see the full breadth of futures bets available this season, click one of the trusted sports betting sites featured in the underneath table. You'll be able to lock in your bets at these same sites too.
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