Chris Boline
We are getting closer and closer to the 2023 Major League Baseball season arriving and fans can’t wait for what’s about to go down. Standout players have been hard at work this offseason trying to get themselves ready for what should be a memorable campaign. When it comes to individual awards, so many people are going to be chasing the Most Valuable Player honor. Entering play, Angels star Shohei Ohtani is favored to win 2023 AL MVP and for good reason.
Ever since he landed in Los Angeles to start making plays for the Angels, Ohtani has been a pleasure to watch. What makes him so special is that not only is he a fantastic hitter – with incredible home-run power – but he’s also an outstanding pitcher. The Angels are able to use him in more ways than one, which makes him such a threat whenever he takes the field. LA fans love him and it’s easy to see why.
| AL MVP odds |  |  |  |  |
| Ohtani to win | +220 | +220 | +220 | +220 |
| Judge to win | +650 | +650 | +650 | +650 |
| Trout to win | +800 | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Rodriguez to win | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 | +1100 |
Last season, the 6-4, 220-pound Ohtani was fantastic on the bump, posting a 15-9 record, with a 2.33 ERA and 219 strikeouts. He was in the chase to win AL Cy Young. Meanwhile behind the plate, Ohtani hit .273 with 34 home runs and 95 RBI. The fact that he was so impressive with his pitching and batting really makes him one of a kind. Had it not been for Aaron Judge last season, Ohtani surely would have won MVP.
According to the best-rated sportsbooks, Ohtani is indeed the favorite to win AL MVP this year, as he’s been given +220 MLB betting odds. Behind him, Judge has been placed at +650. These two figure to go back and forth in the race for the highest individual prize this year. While Judge hit 60+ homers last season, we think Ohtani will be the one to steal the show in the AL this spring, summer and fall. Ohtani is our pick to win the AL MVP.
Tag along with Shohei Ohtani during Angels Photo Day 📸 #LAASpring pic.twitter.com/OafhnEwEjB
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) February 23, 2023
Juan Soto is the favorite to win the NL MVP
On the other side of things, Juan Soto is the favorite to win the NL MVP award this year, but it surely isn’t going to be easy for him. Soto, one of the best young talents in the game, is expected to go toe-to-toe with Mookie Betts for the honor. Time and time again, Betts looks like one of the best players in the game, and he has some World Series-winning experience under his belt as well.
As does Soto, who helped Washington win it all a few years back. However, Soto is no longer with Washington, as he was traded to the San Diego Padres. Soto is hoping to get the Padres over the hump and to the World Series this year. As for Betts, he and the Dodgers have strong World Series betting odds, which is always expected for the NL West powerhouse. Betts is ready to make serious noise in the coming months. He also wants to bounce back from inconsistent play last season.
“I’m honestly not sure,” Betts said via MLB.com about his inconsistency issues during last season. “It definitely wasn’t from lack of effort. So I just continue to control the things I can control, and that’s putting in work and playing hard on the field. After that, that’s really all you can control and you just go have fun after that.”
Both Soto and Betts have the kind of power to send the ball out of the park on any given at-bat. They’re exciting talents, which is why people pack the stadiums whenever they’re in action. Soto holds +550 odds to win NL MVP, while Betts has been placed at +850. There are some other players who could certainly make some noise, but we think it will be Soto who ends up winning this battle. Soto is our pick to win the NL MVP.
"He really couldn't be in a better situation going into this year."
Ranked #12 ahead of his first full season in San Diego, @CY24_7 sees Juan Soto finding more success with the @Padres. #Top100RightNow pic.twitter.com/GIr2n2dVxc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 23, 2023
Astros still hold the top odds to win the World Series
As we do inch closer to Opening Day, don’t forget that the Astros still hold the top odds to win the World Series in 2023. After winning it all last campaign, the Astros are excited at the thought of going back-to-back. They certainly have a great chance of doing so, as the majority of their star players will be back at Minute Maid Park. The one loss that sticks out is right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander, who signed with the New York Mets.
Regardless, Houston is always a threat to bring home the glory thanks to Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and others. Right behind them in terms of World Series betting odds are the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves and Mets. A lot of people are high on the Yankees, as they re-signed Judge to his massive deal and also brought in Carlos Rodon.
Don’t sleep on the Dodgers, Braves and Mets, though, as those three clubs also feature a boatload of talented players on their rosters. Everyone is hoping to take down Houston and make sure a repeat doesn’t happen. With so much attention on the NY clubs, we’re intrigued by the Bronx Bombers at +800 to end their drought. We’re picking the Bronx side, as we like the Yankees betting odds for this season.
