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American League MVP odds and best bet at All-Star break (It's Over)

There is almost nothing that Shohei Ohtani could do the lose to American League MVP award this year, except not play in the American League anymore.

By Josh Yourish

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17)
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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We’re only halfway through the season and one award is already wrapped up. Aaron Judge’s injury prevented him from defending his AL MVP Award, so Shohei Ohtani is the prohibitive favorite. There is almost nothing that could prevent Ohtani from bringing home the award… almost. 

AL MVP Award odds

AL MVP Award best bet

Ohtani is the best hitter in baseball. He has a 1.050 OPS which is No. 1 in the Majors and his 32 home runs also lead baseball. We could really get into it, but just know that if all Ohtani did was hit he would still be the MVP of the American League and it still wouldn’t be close. On top of that, Ohtani is 7-4 on the mound with a 3.32 ERA. He’s not really in the Cy Young conversation, but he’s close. 

There are two things that could prevent this from happening: 1. An injury, which I don’t even want to talk about because it would be devastating to have the best single season any baseball player has ever put together, comes to an end. 2. A trade to the National League. Now, this would complicate things because no player has ever been traded and/or changed leagues mid-season and been named MVP. If he does I think they should just give him both awards anyways, he deserves it. 

The Angels are dealing with injuries and have fallen under .500 at 45-46 and are fourth in the AL West. Their best course of action could be to trade Ohtani at the deadline before his impending free agency this offseason. If they do trade him it could be to the Mets or Dodgers which would send him to the NL. 

If that happens I guess Luis Robert Jr. would be my pick right now at +10000 with his 26 home runs and .899 OPS after a blistering month of June. That’s tough to get behind though because the White Sox are going to lose 90+ games. Yandy Diaz is second to Ohtani in the AL in OPS at .923 and Robert Jr. is third. Corey Seager has a 1.026 OPS, but only has 238 at-bats and doesn’t qualify yet. Maybe a flier on Seager or Robert, but it’s going to be Ohtani. 

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