Padres News: Friars Stars Among NL MVP Favorites Despite Team Struggles
![Padres News: Friars Stars Among NL MVP Favorites Despite Team Struggles Padres News: Friars Stars Among NL MVP Favorites Despite Team Struggles](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/MTk4OTcxOTIzOTYxNDg5MTY5/usatsi_20886451_168396005_lowres.jpg)
In the midst of what has been a disappointing June for a Padres team desperate for some momentum, star players Juan Soto and Fernando Tatis Jr. are among the top ten favorites to win the National League Most Valuable Player award, according to Covers.com.
Soto is listed at +2800, meaning a $100 bet would net you $2800, while Tatis Jr. is a +3000 underdog to win the award, meaning a $100 would yield a $3000 payout.
While I won't tell you how to gamble your money, the payouts are high for a reason; it is unlikely that either San Diego star will be awarded the honor come October. However, with the sixth and seventh best odds respectively, Soto and Tatis Jr.
Soto has knocked in 14 home runs while posting a .273 batting average and an impressive .927 OPS, good for sixth best in baseball.
Tatis has Soto beat as far as homers and batting average go, with 15 home runs and a .286 average. However, Soto has the edge in OPS and RBI.
The NL MVP favorite is Atlanta Brave outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., who is having a monster year at the plate. His .328 batting average is second in the league, and he's hit 17 homers and 49 RBI along the way. Also in the running are the Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll and the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.
With the star power of Soto and Tatis Jr. on their side, San Diego's poor start has the potential to be one of the biggest surprises in recent MLB history. The Padres opened the season as one of the favorites to win the World Series. They now sit 6.5 games out of the Wild Card race with the All-Star Game rapidly approaching.
Maybe it will take an MVP-caliber season from either Soto, Tatis Jr., or both to turn the Padres back into contenders.