Juan Soto’s NL MVP Odds Now Alone at the Top; Tatis Jr Moves Into Top Three as Bellinger Fades

• Washington Nationals right fielder Juan Soto has emerged as the lone favorite for National League MVP
• Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts, who opened as co-favorite with Soto, is now the second choice
• A look at the latest NL MVP odds along with early betting advice can be found below

With opening day less than a week away, Juan Soto now stands alone as the favorite to win National League MVP.

The Washington Nationals right fielder’s odds are +725. They opened at +750 and Soto was co-favorite then with Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts. The odds for Betts have held steady.

The third choices are now San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna at +775. Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger is fifth on the board at +1000, falling from third at +800.

2021 National League MVP Odds

Odds represent averages at online sports books as of March 26.

The Standalone Favorite

Soto has already burnished his credentials as a strong MVP contender despite still being just 22 years old, including a dominant – albeit pandemic-shortened – 2020 season.

The style. The swing. The shuffle.

Welcome to Juan Soto's MLB.

Full story by @JeffPassan: https://t.co/fOh3octquc

(📍 @principal) pic.twitter.com/oH6gXFjSwP

— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2021

Soto led the NL in all three triple-slash categories a year ago. In 47 games, he hit .351 with a .490 on-base percentage and a .695 slugging percentage.

Furthermore, he hit 13 home runs and drove in 37 runs. He also drew 41 walks and struck out just 28 times in 196 plate appearances.

And before anyone tries to make a small-sample size argument, consider what Soto has done in 313 career games over three seasons. His slash line is .295/.415/.557 with 69 homers and 23 stolen bases.

MVP candidacies are aided greatly by team success. Despite going from World Series champions in 2019 to last in the NL East in 2020, the Nationals are good enough to challenge the three-time defending division champion Braves.

Been Here Before

Betts knows what it takes to win MVP as he captured the American League award in leading the Boston Red Sox to a World Series championship in 2018. He was second in the NL voting last season behind Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Mookie Betts swung and missed on just SIX right-handed fastballs in the 2020 season. His 4.2% miss rate was lowest in MLB.

And this is really something… If you take out the 1st inning, Mookie Betts swung and miss at ONE right-handed fastball last season.#ITFDB pic.twitter.com/gnhCCj1E3l

— Inside Edge (@IE_MLB) March 25, 2021

Betts made a huge splash in his first season with the Dodgers after being acquired in a trade just before the start of spring training. In 55 games, Betts batted .292/.366/.592 with 16 home runs and 10 stolen bases in helping the Los Angeles win its first World Series title since 1988.

Despite the Padres loading up in the offseason, the Dodgers are still favored to win a ninth straight NL West title. And, at 28, Betts is seemingly in the prime of his career, though he is the “old man” amongst the top MVP candidates this season.

More Youngsters

It seems premature to call Tatis a superstar considering the 22-year-old has just 143 games of major league experience over two seasons. However, he fits the bill.

Spare the comparisons: Fernando Tatis Jr. is a 1 of 1.#PadresST pic.twitter.com/ejY8wT3ka0

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) March 26, 2021

Tatis has a .301/.374/.582 line with 39 homers and 27 steals in his brief career. If the Padres, a trendy pick in many circles, do knock the Dodgers off their NL West throne it will likely happen in large part because of a monster season by Tatis.

Even though Freeman is the MVP, Acuna is the Braves’ best player at 23.

Acuna’s batting average was just .250 last season but he more than made up for it with a .406 OBP, .581 SLG and 14 homers while limited to 46 games.

Ronald Acuna Jr. with a beauty of a bat flip 👀

(via @Cut4) pic.twitter.com/dIacvyflpd

— SI MLB (@si_mlb) March 23, 2021

Like Soto, Acuna has played in 313 career games in three seasons. Acuna’s slash line isn’t quite on par with Soto’s but it is still impressive at .281/.371/.538 with 81 homers and 61 steals.

The Best Bet

Tatis is the real deal. It would be wise to jump on him before the odds go any lower. At +775, he is still a good value play.

And it might be a good move to make at least a small wager on Freeman at +1350. Freeman may not be the best player on his team, but he did win the award only one year ago.