2012 NL MVP Odds + Picks
Ryan Braun won his first MVP award last year by beating Matt Kemp and Prince Fielder. The National League saw a couple big stars leave the league in the offseason, so the MVP race is a little more wide open. Albert Pujols was always a favorite to win the award, but he is now in the American League.
Fielder finished third last season, but he’s a Detroit Tiger now.
Let’s take a look at the 2012 National League MVP Odds.
2012 National League MVP Odds from Bovada
Joey Votto Odds to Win NL MVP – 7/1
Votto took home the NL MVP award in 2011. It’s hard to classify Votto’s season last year as a disappointment, though he did take a small step backward from his terrific 2010 campaign. Votto hit .309 last year, but he only hit 29 home runs. I don’t see Votto as a pure home run hitter, but he is definitely one of the most consistent hitters in baseball. He had a career-high 40 doubles last year, and he also drew a career-high 112 walks. This isn’t a guy pitchers want to face because of the way he battles at the plate. The Reds should be improved in 2012, which helps his chances.
Matt Kemp Odds to Win NL MVP – 9/1
Kemp led the National League with 39 home runs and 126 RBI’s last season. He finished with a .324 batting average. He would have likely won the MVP award if the Dodgers had finished the season with a little bit better record. He has been an iron man the last few years. Kemp played in 159 games in 2009, 161 games in 2010, and all 162 in 2011. It’s important to remember another major asset to Kemp’s game is his speed. He finished with 40 stolen bases last season. I expect another big year from Kemp, but his team might hold him back in the voting again.
Ryan Braun Odds to Win NL MVP – 10/1
A couple months ago it looked like Braun would have no chance at repeating as MVP since he was set to be out for the first 50 games. After the stunning reversal, Braun is given solid odds at repeating. Though Fielder is no longer in the lineup, the Brewers still have plenty of very good hitters around Braun. Braun has a .312 career batting average, and he is improving each year. I think he is going to be highly motivated this year because of all the question marks from the offseason.
Giancarlo Stanton Odds to Win NL MVP – 11/1
If you’re confused about who this is, Giancarlo Stanton was formerly known as Mike Stanton. Ozzie Guillen is the new manager of the Marlins and hopes are much higher for the team this season. Stanton has as much power as anyone in all of baseball, but he hasn’t yet proven he can hit for a great average. He has had some knee issues in Spring Training. They don’t seem to be too serious, but they are definitely a concern. I’m not quite as high on Stanton as some other people. He will be a great player, but I think he needs a year or two more to develop.
Justin Upton Odds to Win NL MVP – 11/1
Upton was the leader of a major resurgence in Arizona last year. He finished fourth in the NL MVP voting in 2011. The Diamondbacks won the NL West last year as they proved the doubters wrong all season. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Upton hit a career-high 31 home runs and finished with a .366 on-base-percentage. He is only 24 years old, and I think he has plenty more upside. The Diamondbacks may struggle to finish as well as they did last year, which could hurt him in the MVP voting.
NL MVP Free Pick- Ryan Braun
Braun is at the peak of his career right now, and he is a guy with a major chip on his shoulder. Braun is out to prove the doubters wrong, and he has made that clear in every preseason interview. The Brewers will still be a very good team, and I think Braun has plenty of value at 10/1.
Updated Odds for NL MVP
Joey Votto 7/1
Matt Kemp 9/1
Ryan Braun 10/1
Giancarlo Stanton 11/1
Justin Upton 12/1
Troy Tulowitzki 12/1
Hanley Ramirez 15/1
Jose Reyes 15/1
Carlos Gonzalez 18/1
Matt Holliday 20/1
Ryan Zimmerman 20/1
Buster Posey 25/1
Hunter Pence 25/1
Jay Bruce 25/1
Starlin Castro 25/1
Brian McCann 30/1
Clayton Kershaw 30/1
David Wright 30/1
Roy Halladay 30/1
Andrew McCutchen 35/1
David Freese 35/1
Tim Lincecum 35/1
Cliff Lee 40/1
Lance Berkman 40/1
Rickie Weeks 40/1
Shane Victorino 40/1
Aramis Ramirez 50/1
Carlos Quentin 50/1
Cole Hamels 50/1
Mike Morse 50/1
Stephen Strasburg 50/1
Johan Santana 75/1
