⚾ MLB MVP Odds & Favorites 2026: Judge, Ohtani Favorites Early in New Season
Shohei Ohtani is priced as an absurd minus-money favorite in the NL by the latest MLB MVP odds. Ohtani put on a show during the WBC, hitting three home runs and posting a 1.231 OPS over four games. He's also expected to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers this year.
Reigning AL winner Aaron Judge is the favorite in the AL, though by a smaller margin. Perennial MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr. is lurking, while last year's runner-up, Cal Raleigh sits third.
We'll track how the odds change throughout the campaign and list our best MVP bets along the way.
🔢 American League MVP odds 2026
Live 2026 AL MVP Award odds from our best MLB betting sites. Should Judge be favored on the AL MVP odds board?
✏️ American League MVP bets
Here are the AL MVP bets the SBR team is making throughout the 2026 MLB season.
| Bet (odds) | SBR analyst | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Gunnar Henderson AL MVP (+1700 via FanDuel) | Andrew Brennan | March 24, 2026 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. AL MVP (+450 via FanDuel) | Dustin Saracini | March 22, 2026 |
Brennan: I debated between Gunnar Henderson and Julio Rodriguez for my AL MVP bet, but I landed on the former for a couple of reasons. First, he has less competition from his own teammates. Rodriguez plays with 2025 AL MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh, while Henderson's teammate, Pete Alonso, may crush 50 homers but isn't a traditional MVP candidate. Secondly, I like Henderson's profile a bit more. Of the two, I think he's more likely to hit upward of 40 homers, which I think is necessary if someone is going to dethrone Aaron Judge. I could see Henderson challenging 40-40 this season, and if he does that, I think this is his award to lose.
Saracini: Bobby Witt Jr.'s true five-tool profile makes him a natural candidate to take over the MVP spotlight. Last season, he ranked in the 90th percentile in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, and average exit velocity, while pairing elite defense and speed at a premium position. He's my top pick to unseat Aaron Judge from the throne. Don't shy away from clicking his name on the AL MVP odds board.
🔢 National League MVP odds 2026
Live 2026 NL MVP odds from our best sports betting apps
🎟️ MLB MVP betting insights
Here are some early betting insights for both leagues, via BetMGM, and the top five players getting the most action.
American League MVP
| Player | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|
| Roman Anthony | 15.1% | 17.3% |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | 14.3% | 8.8% |
| Julio Rodriguez | 9.4% | 4.5% |
| Aaron Judge | 8.7% | 35.5% |
| Gunnar Henderson | 8.7% | 3.7% |
National League MVP
| Player | Ticket % | Handle % |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Acuna | 14.0% | 9.6% |
| Elly De La Cruz | 12.7% | 4.5% |
| Shohei Ohtani | 11.8% | 45.1% |
| Bryce Harper | 8.7% | 5.0% |
| Juan Soto | 6.1% | 7.0% |
🗠 MLB MVP opening odds
Odds as of November 2025.
| American League | Odds | National League | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Judge | +300 | Shohei Ohtani | -110 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | +500 | Juan Soto | +800 |
| Cal Raleigh | +750 | Ronald Acuña Jr. | +1200 |
| Nick Kurtz | +900 | Fernando Tatis Jr. | +1200 |
| Julio Rodríguez | +1000 | Francisco Lindor | +1500 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | +1200 | Corbin Carroll | +1500 |
| José Ramírez | +1300 | Elly De La Cruz | +1700 |
| Yordan Alvarez | +1500 | Manny Machado | +2000 |
| Gunnar Henderson | +1600 | Ketel Marte | +2200 |
| Junior Caminero | +1700 | Rafael Devers | +2500 |
📜 MLB MVP odds history
🏆 Past AL MVP winners
| Year | Name | Position | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aaron Judge, NYY | OF | +400 |
| 2024 | Aaron Judge, NYY | OF | +550 |
| 2023 | Shohei Ohtani, LAA | DH/SP | +200 |
| 2022 | Aaron Judge, NYY | OF | +2000 |
| 2021 | Shohei Ohtani, LAA | DH/SP | +3000 |
| 2020 | Jose Abreu, CWS | 1B | OFF |
| 2019 | Mike Trout, LAA | OF | +125 |
| 2018 | Mookie Betts, BOS | OF | +2500 |
| 2017 | Jose Altuve, HOU | 2B | +1200 |
| 2016 | Mike Trout, LAA | OF | +160 |
| 2015 | Josh Donaldson, TOR | 3B | +1600 |
🏆 Past NL MVP winners
| Year | Name | Position | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Shohei Ohtani, LAD | DH | +350 |
| 2024 | Shohei Ohtani, LAD | DH | +900 |
| 2023 | Ronald Acuna Jr., ATL | OF | +900 |
| 2022 | Paul Goldschmidt, STL | 1B | +6600 |
| 2021 | Bryce Harper, PHI | OF | +1700 |
| 2020 | Freddie Freeman, ATL | 1B | +2500 |
| 2019 | Cody Bellinger, LAD | OF | +3000 |
| 2018 | Christian Yelich, MIL | OF | +15000 |
| 2017 | Giancarlo Stanton, MIA | OF | +4500 |
| 2016 | Kris Bryant, CHC | 3B/OF | +1000 |
| 2015 | Bryce Harper, WAS | OF | +2000 |
❓ MLB MVP FAQs
Who are the MLB MVP favorites?
Aaron Judge is the favorite in the AL ahead of Opening Day, and his best odds are +200. In the NL, Shohei Ohtani is the favorite, with no sportsbook offering plus-money odds.
Who won the MLB MVP awards last year?
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani won his third MVP award and second in the National League during 2024.
In the American League, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won for the third time.
When will the MLB MVP awards be decided?
Last year's MLB MVP Awards were announced on Thursday, Nov. 13, so we can expect a similar timeline this season.
Who has won the most MVP awards?
Barry Bonds' seven career MVP awards are the most in MLB history. No one else has won more than three, with 10 players tied at that number.
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