MLB NL MVP Odds Update: Ronald Acuña Jr. New Betting Favorite

There’s a new, clear-cut National League MVP favorite, and that man is Ronald Acuña Jr. The Braves right fielder has started the season on fire, and his NL MVP line has shortened dramatically to +550 on DraftKings Sportsbook. In some books, he was third in this betting market at anywhere from +750 to +1000 when the season got underway.

Coming in behind him in the current NL MVP odds are Juan Soto (+700), Mookie Betts (+750), Francisco Lindor (+1200), and Corey Seager (+1200).

While Atlanta is off to a slow start as a team, Acuña Jr. is racking up the stats in many of the key offensive categories.

Acuña Jr. is No. 1 in batting average (.447), hits (17), runs (10), total bases (36), slugging (.947), OPS (1.447), and OPS+ (292). He's also among the top five in several other key metrics including WAR, stolen bases, and home runs.

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Some say Acuña Jr. had a “down” 2020 season, but he was dealing with COVID protocols and a couple of nagging injuries. I’m pretty sure most teams and fans would take a .987 OPS as their stud’s "down" year.

Critics have also pointed out his hustle and effort in the past, but plays like this one can go a long way in voters eyes.

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The other names on the list are also great players in their own right, so this should be a fun battle all the way down to the very end. I know there is still a long way to go in the season, but if Acuña Jr. can stay healthy and on this same trajectory, his numbers will be hard to beat.