Paul Goldschmidt Is The Massive Favorite For NL MVP

The NL MVP race at the midway point of the 2022 MLB season has a definitive frontrunner, and his name is Paul Goldschmidt. Often referred to as "Goldy", he has been one of the best first baseman in baseball for many years, but this could be his best campaign to date. At the time of this writing, he has at least one hit in six of his last seven games, including four multi-hit performances. Goldschmidt is slashing .346/.428/.633 on the season. Those are simply incredible numbers when you look at them, but the question will be if he can continue on this sort of torrid pace all the way to the finish line, while making those who bet on him preseason at +3500 very rich.

Currently at BetMGM, Goldschmidt is listed as the -110 favorite to win NL MVP. It's difficult to place a future bet while having to lay money, I know, and the value is seemingly gone at this point. But is there anyone that can feasibly catch up to Goldy and challenge him for that award?

There are only two guys right now listed at BetMGM that even come within striking distance of the veteran. San Diego Padres superstar Manny Machado is tied for second favorite to win NL MVP at +550. The third baseman was the leading candidate to win the award before injuries have started to derail his great season. Machado missed nine straight games with an ankle issue, and has spent time on and off the IL this season. The Padres have also opted to sit him some days, as they apparently don't want him to play back-to-back days coming off his injury. He's batting .316 with 12 homers and 46 RBI on the season.

Tied with Machado for second place in the NL MVP race is New York Mets All-Star Pete Alonso, who is also listed at +550. The reason he's so high up on this list is his ridiculous amount of RBI and his homer total. Alonso has hit 22 home runs already this season, and with those homers, he's managed to gather up 69 RBI. A very nice number, indeed. His batting average is very middling at .272, but he has never been known as a contact hitter at any point of his career. He's simply doing what he does best, and continues to try and beat his 53-homer 2019 season.

At this point, it is hard to imagine either of these guys catching up to Goldschmidt in the race. Machado is too injury prone to trust, and Alonso doesn't have the average to go along with that power. Someone else could sneak up on him down the line, but right now, there is a reason Goldy is the clear and massive favorite for NL MVP.