SI

AL and NL MVP Favorites and Longshot Plays

Who are the favorites to win the AL and NL MVP awards in 2020? There are a few longshots the sharps believe are worth betting on.

Frankie Taddeo

Check out the full AL and NL MVP predictions from the entire SI MLB team.

With the start of the Major League Baseball regular season just about a month away, the oddsmakers over at DraftKings Sportsbook have released the latest odds in Vegas for both the National and American League Most Valuable Player awards.

2020 NL MVP Preview

Thanks to the massive trade of star outfielder Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox to the Los Angeles Dodgers, there was a massive swing in both betting futures prop markets. Betts' odds were sliced in half from odds of 10/1 down to +550 following the trade that involved switching leagues. For those bettors looking to back the sensational outfielder, they will be looking for something to happen that hasn’t taken place in 54 years. The last time a player won an MVP in both leagues was Frank Robinson back in 1966.

Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. was the preseason favorite for NL MVP at 4/1 odds. However, his odds would rise as bettors supported both Betts and Brewers star outfielder Christian Yelich (8/1) at the counters. The sweet-swinging Yelich would almost assuredly have been the favorite by oddsmakers if he hadn’t suffered a broken kneecap late last season.

Last year, Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger took home the award at odds of 28/1, making him the 10th consecutive first-time MVP winner in the National League. The top three betting choices are all worthy of consideration. 

If you’re looking for two longshots, the sharps have made two early plays. They have backed last season’s MLB home run leader Peter Alonso of the New York Mets at odds of 30/1 and Arizona’s Ketel Marte at odds of 25/1.

2020 NL MVP Winner

Mookie BETTS (DODGERS) 5.5/1

Cody BELLINGER (DODGERS) 7/1

Christitan YELICH (BREWERS) 7/1

Ronald ACUNA Jr. (BRAVES) 9/1

Juan SOTO (NATIONALS) 10/1

Bryce HARPER (PHILLIES) 16/1

Nolan ARENADO (ROCKIES) 18/1

Javier BAEZ (CUBS) 18/1

Fernando TATIS JR (PADRES) 20/1

Kris BRYANT (CUBS) 25/1

Freddie FREEMAN (BRAVES) 25/1

Manny MACHADO (PADRES) 25/1

Ketel MARTE (DIAMONDBACKS) 25/1

Peter ALONSO (METS) 30/1

Anthony RIZZO (CUBS) 50/1

Jacob deGROM (METS) 33/1

Paul GOLDSCHMIDT (CARDINALS) 40/1

Max SCHERZER (NATIONALS) 40/1

Corey SEAGER (DODGERS) 40/1

Trevor STORY (ROCKIES) 40/1

Yoenis CESPEDES (METS) 40/1

Max MUNCY (DODGERS) 50/1

Eugenio SUAREZ (REDS) 50/1

Ozzie ALBIES (BRAVES) 66/1

Paul DeJONG (CARDINALS) 66/1

Rhys HOSKINS (PHILLIES) 66/1

Jeff MCNEIL (METS) 66/1

Marcel OZUNA (BRAVES) 66/1

J.T. REALMUTO (PHILLIES) 66/1

Justin TURNER (DODGERS) 66/1

Trea TURNER (NATIONALS) 66/1

Nick CASTELLANOS (REDS) 66/1

Josh BELL (PIRATES) 80/1

Kyle SCHWARBER (CUBS) 80/1

Didi GREGORIUS (PHILLIES) 100/1

Joey VOTTO (REDS) 100/1

2020 AL MVP Preview

Things are much more tilted in regards to the American League MVP, as Angels star outfielder Mike Trout is the odds-on favorite at 2/1 to garner the honors for the fourth time in his career. The oddsmakers have this one priced appropriately as the award is Trout’s to lose. 

The sharps have found value in several longshots: Gerrit Cole (50/1), Giancarlo Stanton (33/1) and Josh Donaldson (20/1). Cole, who was the biggest off-season acquisition, could garner a serious consideration if he is able to perform for the Yankees at the level he did for Houston last season. Stanton is a huge wild card should he be able to find a way to stay healthy. After the sharp action, the Westgate lowered his opening odds nearly in half from his opening odds of 60/1. Finally, the wiseguys see value in power hitting third baseman Josh Donaldson after his move to Minnesota.

Given the immense distractions of the cheating scandal, I will dismiss all Houston players from even one second of betting consideration.

2020 AL MVP Winner

Mike TROUT (ANGELS) 2/1

Aaron JUDGE (YANKEES) 8/1

Francisco LINDOR (INDIANS) 10/1

Anthony RENDON (ANGELS) 14/1

Alex BREGMAN (ASTROS) 20/1

Matt CHAPMAN (ATHLETICS) 20/1

Josh DONALDSON (TWINS) 20/1

Gleyber TORRES (YANKEES) 20/1

Rafael DEVERS (RED SOX) 25/1

Jose RAMIREZ (INDIANS) 25/1

George SPRINGER (ASTROS) 25/1

Xander BOGAERTS (RED SOX) 30/1

Yoan MONCADA (WHITE SOX) 30/1

Shohei OHTANI (ANGELS) 30/1

Giancarlo STANTON (YANKEES) 33/1

Jose ALTUVE (ASTROS) 40/1

Carlos CORREA (ASTROS) 40/1

DJ LeMAHIEU (YANKEES) 40/1

J.D. MARTINEZ (RED SOX) 40/1

Marcus SEMIEN (ATHLETICS) 40/1

Yordan ALVAREZ (ASTROS) 40/1

Gerrit COLE (YANKEES) 50/1

Joey GALLO (RANGERS) 50/1

Yasmani GRANDAL (WHITE SOX) 50/1

Vladimir GUERRERO V (BLUE JAYS) 50/1

Eloy JIMENEZ (WHITE SOX) 50/1

Matt OLSON (ATHLETICS) 50/1

Luis ROBERT (WHITE SOX) 55/1

Austin MEADOWS (RAYS) 66/1

Jorge POLANCO (TWINS) 80/1

Gary SANCHEZ (YANKEES) 80/1

Justin VERLANDER (ASTROS) 80/1

Luis ARRAEZ (TWINS) 100/1

Bo BICHETTE (BLUE JAYS) 100/1

Byron BUXTON (TWINS) 100/1

Nelson CRUZ (TWINS) 100/1

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Frankie Taddeo
FRANKIE TADDEO

Frankie Taddeo is a successful high-stakes fantasy football player who created the first-ever DFS program offered in a Las Vegas sportsbook. Besides contributing NFL fantasy analysis with a Vegas slant, Frankie primarily performs as Sports Illustrated's Senior Betting Analyst providing his significant experience and resources in the sports betting scene. 

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