National League MVP Award Odds to Target at Caesars Sportsbook

Several players in the National League had outstanding performances last season. One player, in particular, stood out above the rest: Ronald Acuna of the Braves. Acuna’s incredible season included hitting 41 home runs and stealing 73 bases, making him the first player in league history to achieve a 40-70 season. His remarkable performance earned him the unanimous selection for NL MVP, receiving all 30 first place votes; similar to Shohei Ohtani in the American League. Acuna enters the 2024 MLB betting season as the frontrunner to cash on the NL MVP odds as the +550 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook. However, he faces tough competition from last year’s runner-up, Mookie Betts, as well as Ohtani, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Bryce Harper, who are all considered strong contenders to take home bragging rights. Unlike the American League, where favorites have dominated in recent seasons, the NL MVP race has seen some surprising winners. With that in mind, here are my favorite, underdog, and longshot candidates who could make an impact in the National League MVP Awards odds market throughout the regular season.

Bet NL MVP Award Odds at Caesars Sportsbook

  *Remaining Players all 10-1 or greater

Favorite to Bet: Shohei Ohtani +800

Though Acuna hooked the bankroll up in a big way last season by cashing in as my selected favorite to add the MVP Award to his Rookie of the Year Award from back in 2018, the National League MVP odds begin and end with none other than Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese import has simply been a man amongst boys since coming over from the Orient introducing himself to Major League Baseball bettors by winning the Rookie of the Year Award and following it up by cashing on the AL MVP betting odds two of the last three seasons.

Coming off a campaign in which he slugged .654 and churned out an insane 1.066 OPS by way of launching 44 home runs and 95 RBI, the Los Angeles Dodgers will only utilize him as a full time hitter in 2024 after undergoing elbow surgery to his throwing arm in the offseason. The injury limited him to 135 games last season and he still put up that eye-popping stat line! Just imagine what he can accomplish if he plays over 150 games! I can already envision even greater success for him, which could potentially earn him all 30 first-place votes for the second consecutive year.

The upcoming season brings a fresh start with a new team and new ballparks. But don’t let that distract you from the incredible talent of this young prodigy. He aims to achieve something unprecedented in Major League Baseball – becoming the second player ever to cash in on the MVP MLB odds in both leagues. The only player to accomplish this feat is Frank Robinson, who achieved it with the Reds in 1961 and the Orioles in 1966. If ever there was a generational player with the intestinal fortitude to make history in his quest to also secure the NL MVP Award, it’s none other than Ohtani-San.

Underdog to Bet: Cody Bellinger +5000

Cody Bellinger was my longshot dart throw a season ago as a +15000 underdog to win the NL MVP and man did he give it a run! While not offering nearly the same type of return on investment in the National League MVP odds market as he did a season ago, there’s still an ample amount of meat on the bone with Caesars current offering that has me pounding the table for No. 24 in successive seasons.

The Chicago Cubs significantly improved as a team last season, even though they ultimately fell short and missed the playoffs. However, Bellinger held up his end of the bargain, finishing the season with impressive stats: 153 hits, 26 home runs, 97 RBIs, a .307 batting average, and 20 stolen bases. These numbers earned him a respectable 10th place finish in the NL MVP voting. If it weren’t for a month-long slump, he could have finished even higher in the rankings.

He had his most impressive performance since winning the National League MVP title in 2019 with the Dodgers, earning him his second Silver Slugger Award and the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award. Once he signed a 3-year contract with opt-out options, the Chicago Cubs’ chances in the futures market improved significantly. They are currently favored at +2800 to win the Commissioner’s Trophy and are the top choice at +140 to win the NL Central following his signing. As he enters his age-29 season, he is still in his prime and is expected to be the key player in the Cubs’ resurgence, putting them in contention for the pennant right from Opening Day.

Longshot to Bet: Ke’Bryan Hayes +20000

This year’s Pittsburgh Pirates team is predicted by MLB experts to finish last in the NL Central with a win total of 74.5 (+1800). However, I have a more optimistic view of the Buccos and wouldn’t be surprised if they became buyers rather than sellers at the trade deadline. I am impressed with the composition of their starting rotation, and their bullpen has the potential to be dominant when protecting a lead.

While O’Neil Cruz is the player expected to make waves in the NL MVP race on this roster, we shouldn’t overlook Ke’Bryan Hayes. He is coming off his best season in his four-year career, and it’s not uncommon for young players to suddenly excel. If Hayes becomes the standout performer on this underrated team, he could establish himself as a legitimate contender in the NL MVP race. And that’s all we can hope for when taking a chance on a sleeper pick like this.

Bet MLB Futures Odds at Caesars Sportsbook