Since MLB has passed the July 4th unofficial halfway point of the season, it’s not too early to check and see how you’re doing on your preseason bets, and not too late to look at bets still worthwhile.
World Series Winner
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees | +375 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 450 |
| Houston Astros | +550 |
| New York Mets | +700 |
| Atlanta Braves | +1200 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +1400 |
There hasn’t been much movement at the top of this list. The Yankees did slowly catch up to the Dodgers, passing them in late June for number one of the favorites list. LA’s still paying the same odds as they were in March.
The Atlanta Braves, off a torrid month in June, have fallen in price from +1700 in early June to a current +1200 in early July, according to World Series odds.
The Blue Jays, currently in third place in the American League East, are fifth-choice (+1400) to win the title.
American League MVP
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aaron Judge | -115 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +250 |
| Yordan Alvarez | +800 |
| Mike Trout | +800 |
| Rafeal Devers | +1400 |
Shohei Ohtani is the defending runaway reigning MVP, and is having another incredible two-way season. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge is actually paying negative numbers. He was paying +2100 before the season.
Rafael Devers has “climbed” from +5000 to win the MVP earlier to his current price of +1400.
MLB National League MVP
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Paul Goldschmidt | -110 |
| Pete Alonso | +550 |
| Manny Machado | +550 |
| Mookie Betts | +1200 |
| Trea Turner | +1200 |
…and the best player in the National League through the first half of the season has been Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Great for the Cardinals last season, so another good season isn’t surprising. He was paying +7500 a scant six weeks ago, and now you’re taking a negative number for the privilege, as per NL MVP odds, of taking him.
Pete Alonso and his 22 home runs are tied for second place, priced (with Manny Machado) at +550. He was paying +3150 in the middle of April. Favored when the season began was Betts.
American League Cy Young
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Shane McClanahan | +250 |
| Justin Verlander | +275 |
| Gerrit Cole | +800 |
| Alek Manoah | +1000 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +1000 |
At the halfway point, a match race between Shane McClanahan and Justin Verlander. The Rays’ 25-year-old lefty is only in his second season, a miniscule ERA of 1.74. Meanwhile, the veteran Verlander is having another outstanding season in Houston, with an ERA of 2.03.
Cole was the favorite when the season began.
MLB National League Cy Young
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sandy Alcantara | +165 |
| Corbin Burnes | +550 |
| Joe Musgrove | +650 |
| Tony Gonsolin | +1000 |
| Max Fried | +1400 |
When the season began, Sandy Alcantara was paying +1600 to win the National League Cy Young. Now he’s solidly atop the list. Corbin Burnes is next at +550. Burnes, who won the award last season, was the favorite at the beginning of this season, but was only +750.
American League Rookie of the Year
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Julio Rodriguez | -225 |
| Jeremy Pena | +600 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | +600 |
| Adley Rutschman | +1800 |
| Joe Ryan | +3300 |
Julio Rodriguez is the fastest player in MLB history to reach 15 home runs and 20 stolen bases, and that has him heavily favored to win American League Rookie of the Year. When the season began, it was Bobby Witt Jr. at the top of that board. Even the best rookie pitcher in the American League, Joe Ryan, is a longshot to win this award.
MLB National League Rookie of the Year
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Oneil Cruz | +375 |
| Michael Harris | +425 |
| MacKenzie Gore | +550 |
| Spencer Strider | +550 |
| Nolan Gorman | +900 |
This is easily the tightest race for any postseason award. Four players are all within points of one another. The fall of Japanese import Seiya Suzuki is the biggest news here, beginning the season as the favorite, but is now paying +2000. A month ago, Michael Harris was paying +7000, but the Braves’ outfielder hit .347 in the month of June to laepfrog near the top of the list.
