MLB National League MVP Betting Odds

Posted by Jordan Walterss on Wednesday,June 8, 2016 10:56, EDT in

We haven’t seen a player repeat as the National League MVP Award winner since future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols won his third overall award in 2009. But it could happen this year as Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is the favorite on betting lines at Mybookie.ag. Let’s break down the favorites.

Check Out the Best MLB National League MVP Betting Odds

Harper, Washington Nationals (+400)

Harper was named the NL Player of the Month for April. Harper hit .286 with a .406 on-base percentage and a .714 slugging percentage (best in MLB) in 23 April games. During that that period, he drove in an MLB-best 24 runs, hit nine home runs (third in MLB), stole five bases and struck out just 13 times in 96 plate appearances. Six of those 24 RBI gave the Nationals a lead, and three of the 24 won the game for Washington. Harper’s best moment cameApril 14, when he hit his 100th career home run, a grand slam off Braves right-hander Julio Teheran in the third inning at Nationals Park. Harper became the eighth-youngest player in Major League history to reach 100 home runs. Harper has slowed down a bit since April, however. In May, the opposition took a much different approach against him in May after his scorching April performance, and it showed in his numbers. His batting average dropped more than 80 points and his slugging percentage was nearly cut in half — yet his on-base percentage actually increased thanks to his league-leading 31 walks. He is now hitting .249 with 13 homers and 34 RBI.

Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies (+400)

Arenado tops the National League and is tied for second in the Majors with 18 homers. He has hit 10 at Coors Field, eight on the road and five in NL West ballparks. Arenado is first in the NL and tied for second in the Majors with 48 RBI. He also leads the NL with 43 runs scored and ranks third in the NL with a .599 slugging percentage. Since the start of ‘15, Arenado’s 178 RBI lead all MLB players by 16, and he has 33 more RBI than anyone in the NL that span. His 60 home run since the beginning of ‘15 are the most in MLB. His 118 extra-base hits and 484 total bases also lead the Majors since the start of ‘15.

Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers (+800 on betting lines): Braun won the 2011 NL MVP but he was on steroids then. This year, he is among the National League leaders in batting average (2nd, .337), OPS (3rd, .959), SLG (9th, .552) and OBP (9th, .406). Braun has reached base safely in 42 of his 46 games this season, including a career-high 29 consecutive games from 4/18-5/27. “I’ve seen every Ryan Braun season,” said manager Craig Counsell, “and this is as good as any of them.” The Brewers are actually trying to trade Braun because they are in full rebuild mode. But his huge salary and some injury concerns this year will make that tough. Braun is 32 with a history of back and neck injuries, not to mention the dark shadow of being one of the most prominent players in any sport directly linked to performance-enhancing drugs.

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Expert Betting Prediction

I think Arenado will finish with better numbers than Harper, but he likely won’t beat him out for NL MVP votes because the Rockies aren’t very good and the Nationals might win the NL East. So I’d lean Harper for now but also consider Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw on betting lines.