Some odds have changed drastically since late February and early March. Injuries and slow starts have affected the odds for some top players in the National League, who were favorites for the National League MVP a few months ago. There are more opportunities for 2021 NL MVP May odds than there were during Spring Training. Mookie Betts, Juan Soto, Cody Bellinger, Christian Yelich, and Freddie Freeman all have more value if you bet on them now.
As of May, the NL has a handful of clear-cut betting favorites atop the list of 2021 NL MVP bets. Here is a check-in on the NL MVP Futures Bets for May 2021 via PointsBet. PointsBet is offering new players 2 Risk-Free Bets of up to $2,000. Sign up to claim this offer and place more 2021 MLB futures bets.
- Read Taylor’s 2021 AL MVP Bets May Odds update.
2021 NL MVP Bets: May MLB Odds, Predictions & Picks Update
National League MVP Odds: Favorites
- Ronald Acuna, OF, Atlanta Braves (+270)
- Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets (+750)
- Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres (+750)
- Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals (+900)
- Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (+1100)
- Corey Seager, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers (+1400)
- Bryce Harper, OF, Philadelphia Phillies (+1600)
- Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Braves (+1800)
- Cody Bellinger, 1B/OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (+2500)
- Manny Machado, 3B, San Diego Padres (+2500)
- Francisco Lindor, SS, New York Mets (+2500)
Like the 2021 AL MVP bets & odds, the NL MVP odds have a clear favorite. Ronald Acuna Jr. is a special player, and his ability to hit for average, hit for power, and steal bases makes him an easy choice to win the NL MVP Award.
Jacob deGrom is clearly the most dominant pitcher in baseball. He leads qualified starting pitchers in K/9 and ERA, and is second in fWAR behind Gerrit Cole. His fastball is averaging 98.8 MPH, which is the fastest out of all qualified starters in baseball. Despite all of his statistics and all the positive metrics, deGrom struggles to win games because of a lackluster supporting offense.
Even though analytics have become more prevalent in baseball, MVP voters still pay attention to wins and losses, and that could certainly keep deGrom from winning the award.
Ronald Acuna Jr. is the favorite as of May for 2021 NL MVP Bet odds, though Taylor eyes two sleeper picks for the 2021 National League MVP award. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
2021 National League MVP Sleeper Bets
Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres (+750)
Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the few players who has the potential to compete with Acuna in average, power, and stolen bases, and therefore has a chance at winning the NL MVP Award.
His HR/FB rate is actually higher than last year when he hit 17 home runs in 59 games, so that bodes well for him this season. If he can maintain that pace, and if his .237 BABIP improves and brings his batting average closer to his .317 average from 2019, then it would be hard to vote against him for MVP.
Tatis will have to improve his batting average over the course of the season and will have to stay healthy, but he should remain a contender for the award throughout 2021.
Trea Turner, SS, Washington Nationals (+3300)
Trea Turner is a great value pick to win the NL MVP Award. He is another player who possesses the ability to hit for average and some power, and to steal bases.
Where Tuner really needs to excel to be a frontrunner for the award is in steals. He is arguably the fastest baserunner in baseball, and is fourth in the majors in steals since his debut in 2015. If he can outpace Acuna in steals and maintain a high batting average, he could contend for the award.
He earned MVP votes for the first time in 2020, and if he can continue his hot start, he should remain in the conversation for the award in 2021.
