Tue, Mar 30, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)
The Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout is the consensus choice to win the 2021 American League Most Valuable Player Award. Trout is the game's best player in either league and has already won the award three times (2014, 2016, and 2019). He finished fifth in 2020 during the abbreviated season due to COVID-19. In 2020, Trout hit .281 with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Trout will not turn 30 until later in the 2021 season. He has spent his entire career with the Angels after the team selected him as the 25th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft out of Millville High School in Millville, New Jersey.
Despite Trout being the betting favorite to win the AL MVP, his teammate Shohei Ohtani has received more wagers to win the award at sportsbooks across the country.
Trout is the 2-1 favorite to win the AL MVP at Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill. He is followed by Alex Bregman of the Houston Astros with 11-1 odds, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees at 12-1 odds, and Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians at 14-1 odds.
Ohtani only has 20-1 odds to win the AL MVP this season. Ohtani is a two-way star for the Angels. He is a member of their starting rotation and spends time as the designated hitter or an outfielder.
Despite the low odds, Ohtani has attracted the most wagers out of any player in the American League to win the MVP award at William Hill. One bet placed on March 19 for $30,000 could wind up paying out $930,000. The odds were 30-1 in Las Vegas that Ohtani would win the AL MVP award for the 2021 season.
When you look at DraftKings, eight times as much money has been bet on Ohtani to win the MVP award in the American League than has been bet on Trout to do the same.
Ohtani struggled offensively last year due to injuries. He had only 175 plate appearances in an already-shortened season. He hit .190 with seven home runs.
Ohtani appeared in his final start of Spring Training yesterday, allowing seven runs before being replaced in the third inning. He left the game suffering from a blister on his the middle finger of his right hand. It is not yet known if Ohtani will start the season on the injured list or the active roster.
Other betting odds from around Major League Baseball include the following:
Ready for Major League Baseball to return on Thursday, April 1? Place your wagers now on any or all of these awards for the 2021 season before the first pitch is thrown.
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