2023 NL MVP Odds and Betting Predictions

Play Ball! The 2023 MLB Season opens on Thursday, March 30th, as the Houston Astros look to defend their World Series crown. The NL MVP race is going to be a fascinating one to follow because three of the favorites all play for the same team. Juan Soto has opened as the +550 favorite, followed by his Padre teammates Fernando Tatis Jr (+900) and Manny Machado (+1500). St Louis slugger Paul Goldschmidt captured the award last season with a .317 batting average, 35 home runs, and 115 RBI.

2023 NL MVP Odds

Odds above courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook as of Wednesday, March 1.

NL MVP Favorites

Juan Soto, San Diego Padres (+550) – Juan Soto had a down year last season, but it seems like more of a fluke than anything. Soto will turn 24 during the 2023 season, and the best is still ahead of him. The Padres have the best lineup in baseball, so pitchers cannot pitch around him. Soto’s ability to get on base, hit for power, and produce runs and RBIs for potentially the best team in baseball bodes well for his MVP chances.

Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers (+850) – Betts finished last season in 5th place in MVP voting, and it is fair to believe that he will have a better season this year. The Dodgers lineup is loaded, and Betts is in his prime, and I expect him to lead the league in runs again while also getting more hits. Tack on the fact that Betts is a Gold Glove outfielder, and making a case for him to win the award is easy.

Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves (+850) – Acuna has dealt with injuries throughout his MLB career, but when he is at full strength, there are not many players as good as him. Acuna should be the healthiest he’s been since 2019, and if he plays an entire season, he should be back to his MVP form. With the changes in the bases, Acuna should be on watch for a 40/40 season.

NL MVP Value Bets

Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres (+3500) – Xander Bogaerts opted to head to San Diego in free agency to play alongside other MVP candidates. While he has three other teammates with higher MVP odds, Bogearts is being underestimated. His 6.1 WAR last season was the best of his career, and he will have support up and down the Padres lineup. He should be in for 100+ RBIs and could be the catalyst for this team.

Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves (+2200) – Now that the shift is gone in the MLB, some batters will benefit mightily. Olson is one of those guys. He played in every game last season and had 34 home runs, 44 doubles, and 148 hits. Now, the infield cannot shift on Olson, and I expect his hits, RBIs, and runs to increase this season. Olson is certainly a sleeper to take home this award, as he is the best and most consistent offensive player on one of the best teams in the National League.

NL MVP Longshot

ONeil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates (+5000) – Cruz came onto the scene last year and immediately made an impact for the Pirates. He is still very raw, but he has outstanding physical gifts and the makings of a great MLB player. He needs to improve his plate discipline, but Cruz has power, speed, and all the makings to be a great fielder.

Past NL MVP Award Winners

2022 – Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis 1B
2021 – Bryce Harper, Philadelphia OF
2020 – Freddie Freeman, Atlanta 1B
2019 – Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles OF
2018 – Christian Yelich, Milwaukee OF
2017 – Giancarlo Stanton, Miami OF
2016 – Kris Bryant, Chicago 3B
2015 – Bryce Harper, Washington OF
2014 – Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles P
2013 – Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh OF
2012 – Buster Posey, San Francisco C
2011 – Ryan Braun, Milwaukee OF
2010 – Joey Votto, Cincinnati 1B

MLB Transactions

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2023 MLB Preseason Previews

• AL MVP
• AL Cy Young
• NL Cy Young
• NL Rookie of the Year
• AL Rookie of the Year
• AL East
• AL Central
• AL West
• NL East
• NL Central
• NL West