Inside The Dodgers

Dodgers Superstar Officially Favorite to Win NL MVP, According to Oddsmakers

He has been making a big push.

Matt Wagner

Dodgers Superstar Officially Favorite to Win NL MVP, According to Oddsmakers
Dodgers Superstar Officially Favorite to Win NL MVP, According to Oddsmakers /
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Since the start of the 2023 MLB season, Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. has been the prohibitive favorite to win the National League MVP. 

With a .991 OPS, 21 home runs, 55 RBI, and 41 stolen bases by the All-Star break, all signs were pointing toward Acuna running away with the hardware. 

That was until Mookie Betts went on an absolute tear. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers' resurgence coincides with Betts' great run. LA now has a commanding 12-game lead in the NL West after being in third place earlier this season, and the do-it-all right fielder and second baseman (and occasional shortstop) has a lot to do with that. 

Since the All-Star break, Betts is hitting an absurd .400 with a 1.140 OPS, and he just hit a career high tying 35th home run in the Dodgers win on Sunday. 

That incredible production has led to Betts overtaking Acuna Jr. as the NL MVP favorite.

As you can see, too, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is also in contention, and the duo has been arguably the top in MLB as the season reaches its crescendo. 

Acuna has had an impressive season -- that's not up for debate by any means -- but aside from his MLB-leading 59 stolen bases, Betts has bested him from an all around perspective. 

Take a look at what Betts has put up so far, per Noah Camras of Dodgers Nation.

There's still just over a month remaining in the regular season, but with the pace Betts is going, he may just take home his second career MVP Award shortly. 

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Matt Wagner
MATT WAGNER

Matt Wagner was born and raised in southern California, and he lived there before moving to Colorado and getting his B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2022. He relocated back to southern California in 2023 and is looking forward to covering the teams that mean so much to his home area. Some of his past work is in Bleacher Report, Dodgers Tailgate, and, most recently, Colorado Buffaloes Wire. Aside from writing, you can probably catch him petting the nearest dog or eating some good Mexican food.

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