NL MVP Futures: Ronald Acuna Jr favored to repeat

Opening Day is nearly here. That means the 2024 MLB season is finally getting underway and it’s a great time to look at some bets that could make you money down the road. Example: NL MVP. Heading into the campaign, Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr is the favorite to repeat after putting up historic numbers in 2023 en route to winning the award. But, there’s also a trio of Los Angeles Dodgers expected to be in the mix in Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman. Below, we’ll preview the NL MVP futures.

Ronald Acuna Jr

Bodog has given Acuna Jr +500 odds to win NL MVP ahead of Opening Day. Understandable since there’s 162 games to be played. The outfielder was truly electric last season, hitting .337 with 41 home runs and 106 RBI to go along with 73 stolen bases. In fact, he was the first player in MLB history to smack 40 long balls and swipe 70 bags in a single season. In every single way, Acuna Jr was a threat for Atlanta and it was a foregone conclusion he was going to win MVP. The Venezuelan has already said in spring training he’s aiming for an even better campaign and if that does happen, it’ll be another MVP award in his trophy case.

Mookie Betts

Betts won an AL MVP while he was in a Boston Red Sox uniform but he’s yet to capture the honor with the Dodgers. That being said, the veteran was second in the voting in 23’ behind Acuna Jr after slashing .307 with 39 bombs and 107 RBIs. Betts is now LA’s shortstop moving forward, which could be a good thing or a bad thing for his MVP case. Offensively though, you can expect a lot of the same from Betts. His bat is elite. The 31-year-old has the second-best MVP odds at most MLB betting sites.

Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani signed with the Dodgers this winter along with Team Japan teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, making Los Angeles instant World Series favorites. He won’t pitch in 24’ however, which means Ohtani will just be hitting. Remember, both of his MVP awards over in the American League came when he was on the mound and at the plate. The superstar is coming off a campaign where he batted .304 with 44 homers and 95 RBI while posting a 3.14 ERA on the hill. Once Ohtani is pitching again as well, I think it becomes more likely he’ll be in the NL MVP mix.

Freddie Freeman

The 2020 NL MVP winner, Freeman is the definition of consistency. He’s a lifetime .301 hitter and has been a dangerous figure offensively for years. In 23’, Freeman was third in MVP voting behind Betts and Acuna Jr, hitting .331 with an MLB-best 59 doubles, 29 long balls, and 102 RBI. The former Brave also happens to be a Gold Glove first baseman. On both sides of the ball, Freeman is phenomenal. He will be one to watch in the MVP race.

Fernando Tatis Jr

Tatis Jr isn’t one to ignore. The San Diego Padres stud may be an outfielder now but he has great range out there, a strong arm, and of course, he absolutely rakes. While Tatis Jr slashed just .257 last year, the Padres were just bad as a whole. Perhaps he won’t be competing for NL MVP but Tatis Jr will be a lot better as we’ve seen from him in the past.