2023 MLB MVP Odds and Predictions

The MLB National and American League MVP race is inching closer to its grand finale. According to the latest MLB AL MVP odds and MLB NL MVP odds, it would seem that this race has already finished at MLB betting sites.

The 2023 MLB MVP odds are heavily favoring two players: Shohei Ohtani in the American League and Ronald Acuna Jr. in the National League.  

Despite having not played since September 3, Ohtani’s AL MVP odds are overwhelmingly in his favor. There aren’t many players in MLB history who managed to miss the last month of the season and remain a massive favorite to win MVP.

Acuna’s NL MVP odds aren’t impossible to beat, but the Atlanta Braves’ superstar appears well on his way to his first MLB MVP award. However, is there a strong alternative bet besides Ohtani and Acuna to make at sports betting sites?

Head below for our final 2023 MLB MVP predictions and the updated AL and NL MVP odds.

2023 National League MVP Odds

The following NL MVP odds 2023 are courtesy of BetUS:

The 2023 MLB NL MVP odds point squarely in the direction of the Braves’ right fielder.

Although, at +350, there is a small glimmer of hope for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts to steal the MVP from Acuna.

At -700 odds, Acuna has an implied probability to win the NL MVP of 87.5 percent. Acuna’s film and stats suggest that the oddsmakers are correct in that assessment.

The 2018 NL Rookie of the Year has elevated his game to MVP territory this season. In 621 at-bats this season, Acuna is hitting .337 with 40 home runs and 101 RBIs. He has also swiped an extraordinary 68 bases¹.

On Friday night, Acuna joined the 40-40 Club in a 9-6 win over the Washington Nationals. He is just the fifth and latest player since Alfonso Soriano to hit 40+ home runs and 40+ stolen bases in a single season².

Additionally, Acuna is the first player in MLB history to have 160 home runs and 160 stolen bases at 25 or younger.

Ronald Acuña Jr. recorded his 160th career HR tonight.

He’s the first player in MLB history to record 160 HR and 160 stolen bases at the age of 25 or younger. pic.twitter.com/fez0a65qdA

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 22, 2023

These aren’t the only recent accomplishments that Acuna has achieved. In late August, Acuna became the first player to record 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in one season³.

Having said all that, Betts has the edge on Acuna in WAR. There is a hair separating Acuna and Betts, but the nod goes to the Dodger with a 7.9 WAR over Acuna’s 7.8 WAR⁴.

As of September 22, Betts is hitting .308 with 39 home runs and 103 RBIs. When you factor in Betts’ 13 stolen bases versus Acuna’s 68, voters will be swayed to the Brave.

Also, Acuna’s recent personal achievements and the MLB records he’s broken are significant bright spots for his MVP resume. Betts had an amazing campaign, certainly deserving of an MVP award, but voters are stuck on Acuna now.

Taking a flier on Atlanta’s Matt Olson or the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman might seem attractive with the current 2023 NL MVP odds. However, it would likely just be a donation to the sportsbooks. In June, we bet on Acuna at +300 and are feeling confident about the wager.

In addition to Acuna’s top NL MVP odds, the Braves have the best odds at World Series betting sites.

2023 American League MVP Odds

The following AL MVP odds 2023 are courtesy of BetUS:

Do yourself a favor and consider the Angels’ Ohtani vs. The Field 2023 AL MVP odds rather than betting on Ohtani at -20000.

Currently, this wager is not available, but we’d rather not bet on Ohtani if these are his best odds to win MVP. That is not to say he won’t win, though.

Ohtani has been out of service since early this month with an elbow injury. He attempted to stay on the field exclusively as a hitter and bypass scheduled starts on the mound, but ultimately didn’t continue past September 4.

Regardless of his injury, Ohtani is still an unrivaled favorite to win the MVP in the American League. He has done more than enough to earn ample votes to capture the second MVP award of his career.

Shohei Ohtani finished this year with 10.0 WAR despite missing nearly the entire final month of the season.

He played in 135 games, the fewest games played in a 10-WAR season in AL/NL history, excluding full-time pitchers. pic.twitter.com/RNIxsG51v4

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 17, 2023

As a pitcher and a hitter, the 29-year-old from Oshu, Japan, has excelled above the rest in the American League. There really isn’t another option for voters. If Ohtani were in the National League, the MVP race would be more interesting against Acuna.

The Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager is his greatest threat to the MVP in the AL. Seager had a season to be proud of, but he does not stand up against Ohtani in this fight for top honors.

Ohtani posted an ERA of 3.14 and a 1.06 WHIP in 132 innings as a pitcher. He started 23 games before receiving the news that he wouldn’t throw another pitch this season.

It might be a while until we see him pitch again, as the two-way phenom is only expected to hit in 2024 after recovering from elbow surgery⁵. Ohtani’s pitching numbers were impressive, but he can still be a major contributor solely as a hitter.

Shohei Ohtani greets Matt Olson atop the MLB home run leaderboard in grand fashion. 💪 pic.twitter.com/xOI6H1wZnm

— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2023

In 135 at-bats, Ohtani connected for a .304 batting average, .412 OBP, 95 RBIs, and 44 home runs. He was also able to steal 20 bases this season.

Despite playing in only 135 games, Ohtani still leads the American League in home runs. He has seven more long balls than Luis Robert Jr.’s 37. At the All-Star break, Ohtani was on pace to come close to Judge’s American League home run record.

Furthermore, Ohtani is third in the AL in batting average and first in the major leagues in WAR⁶. He missed the last month of the season, but Ohtani already had the AL MVP locked in August.

There might be a voter or two who votes against Ohtani for attention. That will not be enough to rob Ohtani of MVP. Alongside Acuna to win MVP in the NL, we backed Ohtani to win the AL MVP.

Unfortunately, Ohtani’s 2023 MLB MVP odds do not have any betting value at -20000.