National League MVP Betting Odds, Picks, Analysis

The MLB American League MVP race is becoming increasingly decided with each passing week. Still, we’ll look to see where everything stands and if there’s any sports betting value to be had in the futures betting markets.

Favorites for the 2023 NL Most Valuable Player

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves

7/4/23 Hitting Stats: .335/.413/.599, 21 HRs, 54 RBIs, 48 Ks, 113 Hits, 40 SB

7/18/23 Hitting Stats: .333/.414/.593, 23 HRs, 58 RBIs, 49 Ks, 123 Hits, 43 SB

7/4/23 Odds: BetMGM Sportsbook (-350)

7/18/23 Odds: BetMGM Sportsbook (-450) 

Keeping the All-Star Break in mind, Acuna has continued to hold steady in the batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage departments while adding a couple more home runs and stolen bases. 

He’s still the most dominant player in the National League when considering power, speed, and hitting for contact.

The next player on this list has more runs than him, but Acuna Jr. will still be difficult to supplant. 

Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers

7/18/23 Hitting Stats: .285/.385/.587, 27 HRs, 65 RBIs, 67 Ks, 100 Hits, 7 SB

7/18/23 Odds:BetMGM Sportsbook (+600)

Since our last check-in on July 4, Betts has hit five home runs, bringing his total to 27, which exceeds Acuna Jr.

However, as you’ll see, he doesn’t have nearly as good a batting average or on-base percentage. Acuna Jr. helps his stock even more with 43 stolen bases than just seven from Betts.

That said, at +600, Betts isn’t a bad bet, especially if he continues hitting home runs. Unfortunately, it might take an Acuna Jr. injury and these massive bursts of home runs to catch up. 

Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

7/4/23 Hitting Stats: .314/.395/.530, 14 HRs, 54 RBIs, 66 Ks, 105 Hits, 12 SB

7/18/23 Hitting Stats: .318/.397/.555, 17 HRs, 63 RBIs, 75 Ks, 118 Hits, 12 SB

7/4/23 Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook (+245)

7/18/23 Odds: DraftKings Sportsbook (+1500)

Since we last checked, Freeman has improved in every category except for stolen bases—he’s still at 12. At +1500, it’s not a terrible wager considering he’s still hitting for some power and has double-digit stolen bases. Still, the average, on-base, and slugging percentages are too far behind. 

If Acuna Jr. didn’t have 43 stolen bases, this would likely be much closer for Freeman, who can still provide value in multiple offensive categories, just not nearly on the level of Acuna Jr.