4 Long Shots to Win All-Star Game MVP: (Why It's Valuable to Bet Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez)

The MLB All-Star Game is one of the great summer traditions, so let's enjoy it and cash some winners.

While just an exhibition, there is an edge to be had on betting All-Star Game MVP, considering every player will see the field in some capacity, but the timing is important. History shows that All-Star Game MVP has little to do with who is in the starting lineup, but more who puts up the counting stats to get a victory.

Dating back to 2003 (18 All-Star Games) 10 have been in the starting lineup while eight have come off the bench. With that in mind, why play a starter at low odds when you can sprinkle on some longshots that are sure to see the field and have the potential for the game changing play.

Before I share four I'm sprinkling on, here are the odds from DraftKings Sportsbook:

2022 All-Star Game MVP Odds

• Shohei Ohtani, Los Angles Angels: +300

• Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: +500

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Toronto Blue Jays: +600

• Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers: +750

• Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees: +900

• Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals: +1300

• Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins: +1400

• Manny Machado, San Diego Padres: +1600

• Trea Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers: +1600

• Joc Pederson, San Francisco Giants: +1600

• Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox: +2500

• Wilson Contreras, Chicago Cubs: +2500

• Ronald Acuna Jr, Atlanta Braves: +3000

• Pete Alonso, New York Mets: +3500

• William Contreras, Atlanta Braves: +4000

• Jeff McNeil, New York Mets: +4000

• Andres Gimenez, Cleveland Guardians: +5000

• Alejandro Kirk, Toronto Blue Jays: +5000

• Tim Anderson, Chicago White Sox: +5000

• Travis d'Arnaud, Atlanta Braves: +5000

• Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers: +6000

• Juan Soto, Washington Nationals: +7000

• Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox: +7000

• Andrew Benintendi, Kansas City Royals: +7000

• Luis Arraez, Minnesota Twins: +7000

• Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners: +7000

• Jose Trevino, New York Yankees: +7000

• Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies: +7000

• Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians +7000

• Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros +7500

• C.J. Cron, Colorado Rockies +7500

• Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves +8000

• Dansby Swanson, Atlanta Braves +9000

• Ty France, Seattle Mariners +10000

• Ian Happ, Chicago Cubs +10000

• Santiago Espinal, Toronto Blue Jays +10000

• J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox +10000

• Garrett Cooper, Miami Marlins +10000

• Corey Seager, Texas Rangers +10000

• Jake Cronenworth, San Diego Padres +10000

Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers (+6000)

Let's play the narrative game. Braves manager Brian Snitker is in charge of the NL team tonight, meaning that former Braves star Freeman will be back with Snitker for one night only. Maybe Snitker looks to put the former MVP in advantageous situations and give him a chance to shine at his current home ball park.

It's the All-Star Game, it's a show, I'll play on this narrative at 60-1.

Juan Soto, Washington Nationals (+7000)

The best hitter in the game, the Home Run Derby winner, playing with a chip on his shoulder, this is a no brainer.

Soto is the subject of trade reports after turning down a $440 million dollar extension from the Washington Nationals, but showed out in the Derby on Monday, will the week of Soto continue?

There are four left handed pitchers on the American League staff, where Soto is hitting just .225 and has hit only six of his 20 home runs. However, I'm going to take a stab at the sweet swinging Soto to make a play like he always seems to do.

Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners (+7000)

Like Soto, Rodriguez shined at the Derby on Monday, coming up short in the final round. The rookie has been playing at MVP levels since his first month of the season, hitting north of .280 since the beginning of May.

Again, this is a show and an exhibition, so wouldn't American League Manager Dusty Baker look to the young talent to get some extra reps? At 70-1? I'll buy into that hope and maybe makes the game changing play, making up for his runner up in the Derby.

However, keep in mind the rule change to this All-Star game, if the game goes to extra innings, there is a swing off, which the Derby runner up is part of as one of three AL players nominated .

Austin Riley, Atlanta Braves (+8000)

I mentioned Snitker being the manager for the Braves, well why not bet the Braves best hitter at absurd odds?

Riley is the hottest hitter in baseball this month, hitting .400 in his 17 games in July, crushing nine homers and driving in 18 RBI's. There's a chance Riley's MVP campaign starts now with a big blast at Dodgers Stadium.

Earlier the story mentioned Soto could be part of the extra innings home run derby, but he is not and Julio Rodriguez is.

Track all of Reed's bets at Betstamp HERE!