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Ronald Acuna Clearcut NL MVP Favorite Two Weeks Into 2021 Season

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in MLB Baseball

Updated Apr 12, 2021 · 9:22 PM PDT

Ronald Acuna Jr. watching ball after swing
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. watches his solo home run in front of Washington Nationals catcher Jonathan Lucroy in the third inning of an opening day baseball game at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
  • In the past week, the average odds of Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr winning the NL MVP shortened from +800 to +567
  • FanDuel is offering a betting line on Acuna as short at +550
  • He’s finished in the top 12 of NL MVP voting in each of his three MLB seasons

It hasn’t been a great start to the MLB season for the 4-5 Atlanta Braves, but no one can pin the blame for that sluggish beginning on Ronald Acuna Jr. The Braves right fielder, off to a torrid start, is the overwhelming early favorite to win the National League MVP Award.

At +567, on average, Acuna not only is the early betting choice in the NL MVP odds, but his line has shortened dramatically. He was third in this betting market when the season got underway at +800.

2021 NL MVP Odds

Player (Team) Odds
Ronald Acuna Jr (Braves) +550
Juan Soto (Nationals) +750
Mookie Betts (Dodgers) +750
Corey Seager (Dodgers) +1200
Francisco Lindor (Mets) +1200
Bryce Harper (Phillies) +1500
Cody Bellinger (Dodgers) +1500
Luis Castillo (Reds) +1500
Freddie Freeman (Braves) +1500
Nolan Arenado (Cardinals) +1700
Christian Yelich (Brewers) +1800
Manny Machado (Padres) +2500

Odds as of April 12th at FanDuel.

Acuna on a Tear

Acuna’s name is all over the leaderboard among the NL offensive categories. He’s the current leader in 10 categories and rates among the top five in five other departments.

Acuna is #1 in hits (16), extra-base hits (nine), total bases (33), slugging (.917), OPS (1.378), OPS+ (267), position player WAR (1.0), offensive WAR (0.9), runs created (16), and offensive winning percentage (.933). He’s second in the league in batting average (.444) and doubles (five) and third in home runs (four).

One of the keys for Acuna’s hot start is that he’s again a healthy specimen. Early last August, Acuna was afflicted by left wrist inflammation and was placed on the injured list. He returned to action on August 26th, but batted just .245 the rest of the regular season.

Still bothered by lingering discomfort in his wrist, Acuna struggled through the postseason. He hit a paltry .217 with one home run as Atlanta lost in the NLCS to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Challengers Slip Sliding Away

While Acuna’s numbers are on fire and his MVP betting line is improving by leaps and bounds, other contenders are finding the early going of the baseball season to be tough sledding.

Both Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals (+733) and Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers (+750) were rated ahead of Acuna in the MVP betting line at the outset of the season. He’s surged past both of these stars.

The average odds on Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers are in free fall. He’s faded from +967 to +1267. Bellinger was batting just .211 through four games this season when he was placed on the IL with a calf contusion.

Braves Are Picking Up the Pace

Acuna was on fire throughout Atlanta’s weekend series with the Philadelphia Phillies. He enjoyed three successive multi-hit games, including a 4-for-5 performance on Friday and a 3-for-4 effort on Sunday. He’s currently slashing at a .444/.462/.917 pace with four homers, eight RBI and a pair of stolen bases through nine games.

Perhaps more importantly, the Braves won two of three from the Phillies to move within a game of .500 baseball following a dismal 0-4 start. If Atlanta wins a third straight NL East title and Acuna continues to be a dominant force, the MVP is there for this five-tool star to scoop up.

Acuna finished 12th in NL balloting last season and in 2018. He was fifth in the voting in 2019. Just 23, if both Acuna and the Braves keep it rolling, he’s definitely a frontrunner for the 2021 MVP.

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