I haven't looked around for odds on different sites, but Joey Votto is currently -110 to win the NL MVP on Sportsbook.com (I know this site has a low rating, so you can look for it elsewhere), with Pujols at even odds to win. I'm not in the business of making guarantees, however, this is a terrible line (and this coming from a Cardinals fan).
They both are having outstanding seasons and making a run at the Triple Crown. And in my opinion, winning the Triple Crown is Pujols' only chance at the MVP. Currently, Votto has better overall numbers (Votto ranks 3rd in homers, 1st in RBIs, 1st in batting average, 1st in OBP, 1st in slugging, 1st in OPS) than Pujols, and Votto is leading a surging Reds team (playing the cinderella role, which certainly won't hurt his chances) that is a lock to win the NL Central.
Contrast this with Pujols, who is the leader on a Cardinals team that is collapsing in dramatic fashion. The only other way Pujols would have a shot at the MVP would be if the Cardinals were to win the NL wildcard (which, in case you haven't been following the Cardinals like I have, is NOT happening). You can argue about whether a player's team's standings should impact the MVP award, but we all know that it does affect many of the voters.
While I stated there are never any guarantees in the world of sportsbetting, I think this one is about as close as they come. Let me know what you guys think...
They both are having outstanding seasons and making a run at the Triple Crown. And in my opinion, winning the Triple Crown is Pujols' only chance at the MVP. Currently, Votto has better overall numbers (Votto ranks 3rd in homers, 1st in RBIs, 1st in batting average, 1st in OBP, 1st in slugging, 1st in OPS) than Pujols, and Votto is leading a surging Reds team (playing the cinderella role, which certainly won't hurt his chances) that is a lock to win the NL Central.
Contrast this with Pujols, who is the leader on a Cardinals team that is collapsing in dramatic fashion. The only other way Pujols would have a shot at the MVP would be if the Cardinals were to win the NL wildcard (which, in case you haven't been following the Cardinals like I have, is NOT happening). You can argue about whether a player's team's standings should impact the MVP award, but we all know that it does affect many of the voters.
While I stated there are never any guarantees in the world of sportsbetting, I think this one is about as close as they come. Let me know what you guys think...