2022 World Series MVP Odds: Yordan Alvarez, Bryce Harper Lead Off as Top Astros, Phillies Candidates

We're still several days away from the first pitch of the 2022 Fall Classic, but the betting markets for World Series MVP are officially underway.

Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros is the top favorite on the board at BetMGM Sportsbook at +600. Through 29 at-bats in the playoffs, Alvarez has two home runs, including two game-winners in the ALDS vs. the Seattle Mariners, as well as 8 RBI, and a .889 OPS.

His bat was somewhat quiet in the four games vs. the Yankees, going 3 for 14 with a double, but drove in a key run in the 6-5 comeback victory vs. New York to sweep the series.

For the Phillies, Bryce Harper is the No. 1 candidate to take home MVP honors, trailing Alvarez at +700.

This postseason has been special for Harper, hitting a scorching .419 through 11 games with 18 hits, 11 of which have gone for extra bases. He's got five home runs, tied with teammate Rhys Hoskins (+1800) and Harrison Bader, while leading the entire playoffs in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Let's take a look at the opening odds for every player available to wager on at BetMGM:

2022 World Series MVP Odds (Opening Lines for Phillies vs. Astros)

• Yordan Alvarez: +600
• Bryce Harper +700
• Justin Verlander +1000
• Kyle Tucker +1000
• Alex Bregman +1000
• Framber Valdez +1100
• Kyle Schwarber +1100
• José Altuve +1300
• Aaron Nola +1500
• Jeremy Peña +1800
• J.T. Realmuto +1800
• Zack Wheeler +1800
• Rhys Hoskins +1800
• Nick Castellanos +2500
• Christian Javier +3000
• Yuli Gurriel +3000
• Alec Bohm +4000
• Lance McCullers Jr +4000
• Chas McCormick +5000
• Trey Mancini +6600
• Luis Garcia +6600
• Jean Segura +6600
• Ryan Pressly +8000
• Ranger Suarez +10000
• Christian Vasquez +10000
• Bryson Stott +15000
• Brandon Marsh +15000
• Martin Maldonado +20000
• Zach Eflin +25000

Who Do Sportsbooks Need to Win the World Series / World Series MVP?

It's not much of a surprise to see that the sportsbook is hoping for a lesser-known candidate to break out from the top of the list for this year's Phillies-Astros matchup.

According to the traders at BetMGM, the money throughout the futures market is heavy on the Astros to win their second title since 2017. Via John Ewing, a Philadelphia series win as an underdog, along with anyone other than Alvarez, Harper and Bregman would be a very positive outcome for the book.

2022 World Series MVP Prediction and Pick for Phillies vs. Astros

As tempted as it might be to lean towards Alvarez or Harper at this very moment due to their earlier postseason success, it's important to note that the award is truly reflective of the player's performance during the World Series specifically.

Last year, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler captured the award, hitting .300 with three home runs, six RBI and six runs scored vs. the Astros.

It's also important to note that pitchers have won in the past, but only four have done it in the last two years: Stephen Strasburg of the Nationals in 2019, Madison Bumgarner (2014), Cole Hamels (2018), and Josh Beckett (2003).

My pick this year is Nick Castellanos at +2500. The Phillies right fielder was third on the team in postseason hits, and tied for second with Kyle Schwarber in runs driven in. He's also seen several pitchers from the Astros from his time in the American League with the Detroit Tigers.

The main reason I like the value on Castellanos is because of where he hits in the order: right behind Bryce Harper. If Harper remains hot, expect the Astros to do everything in their power not to pitch to him in the cleanup spot, giving Castellanos plenty of chances to do damage.

During the regular season, Castellanos hit .311 with runners on this year. If the guys in front of him can get on against a touch Astros' rotation and bullpen, he'll have opportunities to be a key difference maker in the series.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.