Fernando Tatis Jr. Overtakes Jacob deGrom in NL MVP Race

The race for the National League MVP award is a tight one. Jacob deGrom was the favorite for the majority of June, but the latest odds update at WynnBET now has Fernando Tatis Jr. set as the +125 favorite with deGrom (+220) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (+450) close behind.

A big reason Tatis Jr. has taken over deGrom on the odds list is due to his three home run performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 25th. He’s now second in the Majors in home runs this season, tied with Shohei Ohtani at 25 and one back from the leader, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., at 26.

The flip flop between Tatis Jr. and deGrom also had to do with deGroms latest start, which came against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 26th. He gave up two earned runs and three hits across six innings, which was somehow his worst start of his season and the only one where he’s given up more than one run. The start dropped his ERA down to 0.69 for the season.

You have to think that as long deGrom stays on this pace, he’ll once again become the NL MVP favorite. Only two pitchers since 1992 have won the MVP award. Clayton Kershaw achieved the feat in 2014 when he finished the season with a 1.77 ERA, and Justin Verlander pulled it off in 2011 when he had a 2.40 ERA.

With deGrom’s ERA still well under 1.00, you have to think he’s a shoo-in for the award if he can keep it at a sub-1 number.

That’s not to take anything away from Tatis Jr., who is starting to become the face of baseball. His talent is equally matched by the swagger that he brings to the game, and he’s been far and away the best offensive player for a San Diego Padres team that is expected to be in contention come October.

The Padres and New York Mets are also among the favorites to win the World Series. The Padres are tied for second on the odds list at WynnBet AT +700, and the Mets are close behind them at +1000.

The race of the NL MVP award will make for exhilarating baseball down the stretch.