Oddsmakers are currently favoring Shohei Ohtani for the National League Most Valuable Player award for the second consecutive year, primarily due to his status as a two-way star with impressive hitting abilities. However, the landscape appears more competitive this season, particularly with the emergence of Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has made a significant impact in the league as a core player for the Chicago Cubs.
While Ohtani holds the odds at -1150 to win the MVP at FanDuel Sportsbook, Crow-Armstrong is also in the mix with odds of +1000. This raises questions about the disparity in favor of Ohtani, especially considering recent performance metrics such as Wins Above Replacement (WAR). In particular, Crow-Armstrong currently leads Ohtani in WAR on both FanGraphs and Baseball Reference, despite Ohtani’s return to pitching.
Ohtani has faced challenges on the mound this season, making just seven starts and pitching only 15 innings. He has struggled with injury, leaving a recent game early due to cramps. Offensively, his statistics have also dipped—he is slugging .271/.376/.604 and has recorded significantly fewer stolen bases, dropping from 59 to just 13.
On the other hand, Crow-Armstrong has been a standout player, excelling in the field and making highlight-reel plays while delivering solid offensive numbers of .273/.309/.560 with 27 homers and 29 stolen bases. Moreover, his contribution to the Cubs’ performance has seen them slightly outperform their expectations, placing them above the Dodgers in the standings.
As the Dodgers grapple with underperformance relative to high preseason expectations, the narrative will shift toward whether voters will favor a player with a history of MVP awards like Ohtani—who has won three of the last four seasons—over a rising star like Crow-Armstrong, who may confront a less than stellar finish from his own team.
As the season progresses, the MVP race could see shifts based on team performances and individual contributions, setting the stage for an intriguing finish. Betting odds are likely to change as the final weeks unfold, especially if Crow-Armstrong continues to impress while Ohtani’s performance remains lackluster.
This developing narrative in MLB could spark discussions among bettors and fans alike about the changing dynamics within the league, highlighting the shift from established stars to emerging talent.