Cody Bellinger Favored to Win 2019 NL MVP After Historic April
- Cody Bellinger took the April Triple Crown after a historic month
- Bellinger broke three MLB records and tied two
- He led the Dodgers to a 20-13 record
Cody Bellinger has carved his name in MLB record books after a historic month of April. The 23-year old, who is already an All-Star, NLCS MVP, and NL Rookie of the Year, is on pace to add NL MVP to his list of accomplishments.
2019 National League MVP Odds
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cody Bellinger | +250 |
| Christian Yelich | +300 |
| Ronald Acuna Jr | +900 |
| Bryce Harper | +1200 |
| Javier Baez | +1200 |
| Paul Goldschmidt | +1200 |
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | +1600 |
| Nolan Arenado | +1600 |
| Paul DeJong | +1600 |
| Pete Alonso | +1600 |
*Odds taken 05/02/19
Bellinger’s NL MVP odds improved from +2700 on March 21st to +500 on April 8th, and most recently to +250 as of May 2nd. The enormous jump should come as no surprise with numbers like this:
- 97 total bases: MLB record for total bases before May 1
- 37 RBI: MLB record for most RBI before May 1
- 47 hits: MLB record for most hits before May 1
- 32 runs: Tied MLB record for most runs scored before May 1
- 14 hrs: Tied MLB record for most homers hit before May 1
Heading into May, Bellinger posted a .431/.508/.890 (1.397 OPS) with a 264 OPS+, with no signs of slowing down.
Is Bellinger the Best Yet?
Now, we’re only in about 30 games in a 162 game season. It can be long, there can be struggles, even injuries, but when someone puts up numbers like this throughout a entire month, it’s hard not to imagine what can be done over an entire season.
"You could make the argument that this might be the best all-around offensive start to a year that we have ever seen."
– @jonmorosi on @Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger pic.twitter.com/NcltSlep2q
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 30, 2019
History Has Spoken
In baseball history, the most MVP awards have been presented to outfielders (33) and first basemen (15), two positions Bellinger plays. Prior to 2019, the last player to hit 14 home runs in the month of April was Alex Rodriguez, who went on the collect the AL MVP trophy at the end of the 2007 season.
In baseball history, the most MVP awards have been presented to outfielders (33) and first basemen (15).
Cody Bellinger also surpassed Juan González and Mark McGwire for most RBI’s in the month of April. Like the previous mention of A-Rod, González won AL MVP in 1998 when he put up those numbers.
Look Out for Yelich
The only other player that could possibly give Cody Bellinger a run for his money in the NL MVP race is Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers. Yelich’s odds have increased from +1700 on March 21st to +500 on April 8th, and most recently +300 on May 2nd.
Absolute ? starts for @ChristianYelich & @Cody_Bellinger! #TheRundown pic.twitter.com/DI0opW6ucu
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 29, 2019
The reigning MVP has been just as impressive in 2019 as he was in 2018, but recently went on the DL with lower back discomfort. Until he’s back and we see what Yelich can do consistently, the NL MVP award is Cody Bellinger’s to lose at this point in the season.
Pick: Cody Bellinger (+250)
A graduate of Sport Media at Ryerson University, Hayley is the ultimate student of sports. Whether she is playing it, watching it, debating it, or writing it, it's safe to assume sport consumes the majority of her life. She has worked both internationally and with the NBA.
