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The National League MVP race kicks off on Thursday with Opening Day in Major League Baseball. The NL is loaded with young talent, which got even deeper after Francisco Lindor was traded to the New York Mets. Entering the 2021 season, Washington Nationals OF Juan Soto is the favorite to win NL MVP at +735 on DraftKings Sportsbook as of Wednesday night. Behind him is Los Angeles Dodgers OF Mookie Betts and Atlanta Braves OF Ronald Acuna Jr. So how is the public leaning entering the season? Let’s take a look at break it down.
First, I want to start with a player who isn’t getting any love from the public despite being 9/1 to win NL MVP. Los Angeles Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger won a World Series in 2020, but isn’t being bet on at all to win NL MVP. He’s coming off a down season after winning this award back in 2019. Bellinger had offseason shoulder surgery, so that coupled with the poor 2020 season has bettors scared off of him.
His teammate, Corey Seager, along with Philadelphia Phillies OF Bryce Harper, are getting a lot of action to take home the award despite not ranking in the top 5 in terms of odds. Both Seager and Harper are 15/1 to win NL MVP heading into Opening Day. Seager is coming off World Series MVP in 2020 and needed some time to get right after missing almost all of 2018 due to Tommy John surgery. Harper is getting a lot of Spring Training hype and the Phillies lineup as potential if everyone can stay healthy.
The two most dynamic young talents in Soto and San Diego Padres SS Fernando Tatis Jr. are getting the most action in terms of betting percentage and
NL MVP Betting Splits
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handle Rank | Team | Odds | % of Handle | % of Bets |
| 1 | Juan Soto | +750 | 20% | 15% |
| 2 | Fernando Tatís Jr. | +850 | 13% | 15% |
| 3 | Bryce Harper | +1500 | 12% | 10% |
| 4 | Ronald Acuna | +800 | 11% | 9% |
| 5 | Corey Seager | +1500 | 7% | 4% |
| 6 | Mookie Betts | +750 | 6% | 5% |
| 7 | Nolan Arenado | +1200 | 5% | 8% |
| 8 | Francisco Lindor | +1500 | 4% | 4% |
| 9 | Christian Yelich | +1200 | 3% | 3% |
| 10 | Pete Alonso | +3300 | 3% | 3% |
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