MLB Betting News This Month | Yankees Statement, MVP Shift & Market Analysis | September 2026

Braulio Perezby Braulio Perez
Updated: September 1, 2026

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In the blink of an eye, we have reached the start of September, with October baseball right around the corner. With the postseason sneaking up on everyone, it’s time to see which teams will be able to lock in their postseason spots, while others may be on the outside looking in. In both the American League and National League, multiple teams are not only making statements, but they’re looking like the favorites to win the pennant.

Just recently, the red-hot Boston Red Sox took a trip to the Bronx to take on the Yankees in a four-game series, with the Bronx Bombers sending quite the statement. We cover that and so much more in this MLB update, which of course includes changes in the NL MVP betting odds, and for good reason.

Top MLB betting storylines

There have been some pretty eye-opening MLB betting storylines this month, starting on Sept. 1, for fans to follow closely. Here are the main ones on our minds:

  1. The Yankees took three of four in a huge series vs. the Red Sox
  2. Fernando Tatis Jr. is heating up at the right time for the Padres 
  3. The Phillies are giving the Braves something to worry about in the NL East
  4. Pete Crow-Armstrong is playing at an unreal level
  5. The Mariners may have a tough Dan Wilson decision to make soon
  6. The Chicago White Sox had an August to forget, especially pitching
  7. Shohei Ohtani is holding on for dear life for the NL MVP honor
  8. The Brewers are going to run away with the NL Central title 
  9. Can the Houston Astros win the AL West and regain supremacy in the division?

World Series odds movement now include the Brewers

The Los Angeles Dodgers remain the overwhelming favorites to win it all this year, as their World Series betting odds are at the top at +165. However, it looks like their main competition out of the National League is now Milwaukee, as the Brewers have been surging of late, which has been pretty wild to see.

In terms of the MLB betting analysis in front of us, we now see that Milwaukee and the Yankees are No. 2 on the list with +800 odds. Before the season started, virtually no one expected Milwaukee to be in this conversation, but the pitching has been elite, and the hitting has looked great too. Could the Brewers make the Dodgers sweat once October gets here? Hey, you never know how things might go down.

The Yankees sent a clear statement to the Red Sox

As we previously discussed, the Yankees are on the rise a bit after closing out a four-game series with Boston on Aug. 30. While the Red Sox were able to win the first game of the series in the Bronx, the Yankees were able to bounce back in a big way by winning the next three games. This was telling, as New York wants to enter the postseason with a ton of momentum.

Thankfully, the Bronx Bombers now have plenty of momentum leading up to the final month of the regular season. Boston has a bit of catchup to do, but no one can argue with how impressive their turnaround has been. Still, the Yankees reminded everyone of how dangerous they can be, with this series appearing to humble Boston a bit.

Yordan Alvarez is an absolute lock to win AL MVP

Staying in the American League, it’s safe to say that Yordan Alvarez is a lock for MVP, as the MLB betting trends are all pointing to him taking home the honor. It really should be no surprise, as the lefty is having a season to remember for Houston, while the Astros look set to win the AL West once again.

On the season, Alvarez is hitting .317, with 37 homers and 93 RBI. He’s near the top of essentially every top hitting category, which is huge for the Astros. As of Sept. 1, Alvarez holds -20000 odds to win AL MVP, which is wild to see. Once Aaron Judge got hurt, it seemed like the writing was on the wall here. Soon enough, Alvarez should be named MVP, and it’ll be something he fully deserves.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is the new NL MVP leader

Things have changed in a big way in the NL MVP race, as Shohei Ohtani is no longer the No. 1 option for people to bet on. Nope, instead that honor has gone to Cubs’ superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has been out of this world this summer. Because of that, he now holds -1100 MLB betting odds, which is unreal.

It wasn’t that long ago that everyone was expecting Ohtani to run away with things, but you’ve got to love what Crow-Armstrong has been able to get done. As of Sept. 1, the stud is hitting .283, with 38 home runs and 91 RBI. Barring a late shocker, he should be named NL MVP. It will be interesting to see if that happens or not, but we’re going with him as our pick.

The Mariners are set to become the biggest disappointment this season

Who would have thought that such a 180 would be posted by the Seattle Mariners this season? Earlier in the year, the Mariners, fresh off a trip to the ALCS for the first time since 2001, had fantastic MLB betting odds to win the AL West and even push for a World Series berth. Since then, the wheels have fallen off and it’s no wonder why their fans are so upset, especially with manager Dan Wilson.

The Mariners are well under .500 and barring a miracle in September, it looks like Seattle is set to miss the postseason. After being one win away from the World Series last year, the hope was that the Ms would bounce back and win the pennant this year. Now, that’s likely not going to happen, and Wilson is to blame for that mess.

AL Division futures odds have things tight in the Central

While all three divisions in the AL remain a bit up for grabs, it’s the AL Central where people seem to be the most confused. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Chicago White Sox have emerged as the favorites to win the division, though a tough patch has them losing their grip a bit.

That has, of course, been good news for the Cleveland Guardians, who are only a few games out of first place. For now, the White Sox hold -110 MLB odds to win the division, but Cleveland is right behind them at +125. Because of this, we think that the AL Central battle very well could come down to the last weekend of the regular season.

The Phillies are closing the gap in the NL East with one month left

The Atlanta Braves were running away with the NL East title, but Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and others forgot to back down. Now with the last month of the season here, the gap has been closed to a handful of games, which might have people in Atlanta a bit nervous.

However, the Braves are still the odds-on favorites to win the division, but it’s telling that the Phillies have come on strong like this. Both teams should make the postseason, but if they face off in a series, it would without question be a blockbuster matchup. We’ll have to wait and see if that happens or not.

MLB odds and news updates from the past

  • [August 2026]: The Tarik Skubal trade made by the Dodgers turned the MLB upside down, with LA becoming even bigger favorites to win the World Series. 
  • [July 2026]: With Aaron Judge out injured with the New York Yankees, it has opened the door for Astros star Yordan Alvarez to make a claim for the AL MVP honor. 
  • [June 2026]: Thanks to great play, the Seattle Mariners saw their AL West and World Series odds rise. In the NL, Kyle Schwarber became the new favorite to be the 2027 home run king. 
  • [May 2026]: Things really heated up in May, with Aaron Judge and the Yankees taking a step forward, while Paul Skenes was the clear favorite to win the NL Cy Young. 
  • [April 2026]: With a full month of MLB action underway, several favorites are emerging in divisional titles, plus individual awards. That list includes league MVPs, Cy Young races and more.
  • [March 2026]: Major League Baseball early sharp action targets undervalued teams, especially those with strong bullpen depth, creating value on underdog moneylines in the first week of the season.
  • [March 2026]: MLB Opening Day drives heavy betting volume, with public money backing favorites and causing odds to shorten by 20–30 points across multiple matchups.
  • [March 2026]: Major League Baseball injury reports impact early lines, with starting pitcher setbacks moving opening day spreads by up to 1.5 runs and adjusting moneyline prices significantly.
  • [February 2026]: Major League Baseball spring training markets begin to take shape, with World Series futures shifting as key offseason signings push contenders from +1800 into the +1200 range.

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Braulio Perez

Braulio Perez is a sports journalist with more than a decade of experience covering major US sports leagues and international soccer. Since beginning his journalism career in 2011, he has covered a wide range of topics, including college football, recruiting, the NFL, and global soccer, developing a strong understanding of the teams, players, and storylines ...

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