MLB MVP Odds & Favorites 2025: Judge, Ohtani the Early Favorites
The next MLB season will very likely begin in the same way the last one ended, with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani launching balls to Jupiter. Though in Ohtani's case, there's also the matter of being a flamethrower on the mound again at some point in 2025.
Our best MLB betting sites predictably believe those two will be flying high yet again, and that's reflected in their position as favorites in the MLB MVP odds for 2025 from DraftKings and FanDuel. They lead their leagues after Judge and Ohtani took the AL and NL MVP awards, respectively, in 2024. Juan Soto will look to knock off Ohtani after joining the New York Mets in free agency.
AL MVP odds 2025
Odds for the 2025 AL MVP Award from our best sports betting sites.
AL MVP odds analysis
Dec. 11, 2024: Judge fizzled during the playoffs, and that remains a stunning and puzzling part of his career.
But that's a separate conversation, as the MLB MVP award in both leagues is a regular-season honor. And Judge continues to mash everything in sight over that far larger sample size.
Judge led the league with 58 homers and 11.2 fWAR, among various other major statistical categories, including an astronomical career-best OPS of 1.159 while helping his Yankees win the AL East. He'll be leaned on even more heavily now with Soto gone too.
Bobby Witt Jr. enjoyed a fantastic season as well, and it was one of the best second-place performances ever. He was one of just three players in MLB to go 30-30 this year, and he earned a Gold Glove for his outstanding defensive work.
The gap between Judge and Witt in the AL MVP odds at our best sportsbooks isn't nearly as large as one in the NL between Ohtani and the rest of the field in that league. Witt being a five-tool dynamo and defensive stalwart will have that effect.
NL MVP odds 2025
Odds for the 2025 NL MVP from our best sports betting apps.
NL MVP odds analysis
Dec. 11, 2024: Ohtani remains the ultimate baseball unicorn
The megastar became the first player in MLB history to go 50-50, leading the NL in fWAR despite not playing a position. He helped his Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series during his first season with the team, capping off a historic campaign.
Now as we turn the page to 2025, this would often be when voter fatigue pops up with any even somewhat normal player. That's when despite the immense talent and continued production of a star, the human side of award voting surfaces, with MVP voters wanting someone else to assume the top rung for even one year.
Ohtani has taken the award in two straight seasons and three times overall (including in both leagues, incredibly).
But Ohtani is such a rare talent that he seems immune to such thinking. And remember, he became the first full-time designated hitter to win the award in 2024. Eventually, in 2025 he'll return to the mound and resume being a two-way phenom, though there's uncertainty about the exact timeline as he recovers from labrum surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. Pitching is Ohtani's added unique weapon to combat voter fatigue.
Soto is a threat now too as he shifts New York teams to the Mets. He's fresh off putting together an astounding season as well with a career-high 41 homers to finish third in AL MVP voting.
And Ohtani's teammate Mookie Betts lurks just a few spots further down by the odds. He was a leading MVP contender this past season before an injury plunged him down the oddsboard.
MLB MVP odds history
Past AL MVP winners
Year | Name | Position | Preseason odds |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
How to bet on MLB MVP
First, choose a reputable sportsbook offering MLB MVP futures. Check the odds for various players. For instance, if Aaron Judge has +400 odds and Gunnar Henderson has +800, Judge is favored to win.
Place your bet by deciding how much to wager. If you bet $100 on Judge at +400 and he wins, you’ll get $500 back ($400 profit + $100 stake). Keep an eye on player performances throughout the season to see how your bet is shaping up.
Remember, future markets always see plenty of movement. It’s all about performance and perception. If a player performs exceptionally well or poorly, their odds will shift. Injuries to the player or their competitors can also significantly impact their MVP chances. The success of the player’s team can improve their odds as well.
Public betting trends play a role; if many people are betting on one player, sportsbooks might adjust the odds to balance their risk.
Expert analysis and predictions can also influence how people bet, which in turn affects the odds.
How to read MLB MVP odds
Odds are typically shown in a format like +400 or -150. Positive odds (e.g., +400) indicate how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet.
For example, a $100 bet at +400 odds would win you $400, plus your original $100 stake, totaling $500. Negative odds (e.g., -150) show how much you need to bet to win $100. So, a $150 bet at -150 odds would win you $100, plus your $150 stake, totaling $250.
These odds also reflect the implied probability of a player winning the MVP award. Lower odds (e.g., +200) suggest a higher likelihood of winning, while higher odds (e.g., +1000) indicate a lower likelihood.
For example, if Shohei Ohtani has +400 odds and Freddie Freeman has +800 odds, Ohtani is considered more likely to win. If you bet $100 on Ohtani and he wins, you'd get $500 back ($400 profit + $100 stake).
Sportsbooks adjust these odds based on factors like player performance, injuries, team success, and betting patterns. Understanding the odds helps you make informed betting decisions and assess potential returns.
MLB MVP FAQs
Who are the MLB MVP favorites?
Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani is the favorite in the National League at +200, leading to an implied probability of 33.33%. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is the front-runner in the American League while getting +330 odds, translating to an implied probability of 23.26%.
Who won the MLB MVP Awards last year?
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani won his third MVP award and first in the National League during 2024.
In the American League, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge won for the second time.
When will the MLB MVP Awards be decided?
The winners of the 2024 MLB MVP Awards were announced on Thursday, Nov. 21.
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.
MLB betting odds pages
Here are our best MLB betting sites:
- Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
- BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
- bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
- FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
- DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related pages
- Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)