MLB MVP 2022 odds update: Paul Goldschmidt remains betting favorite in NL, Rafael Devers among AL sleepers

With the MLB All-Star break on the horizon, it’s a good time to look at where the betting odds stand for the MVP races in both the National and American League.

As Aaron Judge continues his ridiculous season for the Yankees, it's no surprise he’s still the favorite in the American League. Meanwhile, the National League MVP race is not easy to call, as Paul Goldschmidt is a front runner. However, Pete Alonso and Manny Machado are both making strong pushes to be in the conversation.

Below, we’ll break down the latest odds for both AL and NL MVP favorites before discussing some of our favorite sleepers. Remember, futures bets are all about value, so even if you've already put some money down, you can always add to your portfolio.

2022 AL MVP Favorite

All odds courtesy of Vegas Insider

Aaron Judge, OF, Yankees (-110). Judge continues to be the front runner for the AL MVP race, as the Yankees have been the best team in baseball. The 30-year-old outfielder still leads the majors in home runs (29) to go along with 59 RBIs and a .282 batting average this season.

Judge saw his average dip in June (.257) after hitting over .300 in May (.311), but he still hit 11 home runs. At -110 odds, you can still get some value on Judge, which is better than a couple of weeks ago, when he had -182 odds, per Sports Interaction. Also, we need to keep an eye out for Shohei Ohtani, who has the second-best odds at +260. Ohtani had an excellent month of June, hitting .298 with six home runs and 17 RBIs. He produced a stellar 1.52 ERA, .204 OBA, and 38 strikeouts in 29.2 innings (five starts).

2022 NL MVP Favorite

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals (+100). Goldschmidt is still the odds-on favorite to win the NL MVP for a Cardinals team that is holding one of the three wild card spots. The veteran first baseman is having a career year at the plate, hitting .340 with 19 home runs, 65 RBIs, and a 1.042 OPS.

The last time Goldschmidt hit over .300 was during the pandemic-shortened season (2020). The time before that was in '15 (.321) with the Diamondbacks. Goldschmidt is coming off an impressive June where he slashed .323/.427/.636 with eight home runs and 22 RBIs. Despite Goldschmidt’s success at the plate this season, bettors also need to watch out for Pete Alonso (+500) and Manny Machado (+550). Both have their respective teams playing good baseball this season and are hitting well at the plate.

2022 AL MVP Sleepers

Rafael Devers, 3B, Red Sox (+1600). If the Red Sox win one of the three wild card spots in the American League, Devers' play will have a lot to do with it. The outstanding third baseman has quietly put together a tremendous 2022 season, slashing .327/.383/.579 with 17 home runs and 46 RBIs. Devers is one of the most feared hitters in the league, let alone in the Red Sox’s lineup, as he can hit for average and power.

The last time Devers hit over .300 was in 2019 when he slugged .311 with 32 home runs and 115 RBIs. At +1600 odds, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to throw a bet on Devers, who has stood out as the top hitter on a big-market team that will certainly be making noise down the stretch.

More AL MVP sleepers to consider: Mike Trout, OF, Angels (+800); Yordan Alvarez, DH/OF, Astros (+800); Jose Ramirez, 3B, Guardians (+2500)

2022 NL MVP Sleepers

Trea Turner, SS, Dodgers (+1400). Turner could be a sneaky, dark-horse candidate to win NL MVP this season. The speedy shortstop is slashing .311/.359/.491 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs. He’s also been a factor on the bases with 16 steals in 18 attempts.

Turner’s ability to not only hit for average but also steal bases will help his case in the MVP convo. The top-three favorites (Goldschmidt, Alonso, and Machado) don't add much value with their leagues, so if they're slumping at the plate, they can only help their teams so much. If the Dodgers can win the NL West and finish with a top-two record in the majors, Turner will get some buzz.

More NL MVP sleepers to consider: Mookie Betts, OF, Dodgers (+1200); Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers (+1400)

2022 AL MVP Long shots

Byron Buxton, OF, Twins (+8000). If baseball fans haven’t been paying attention to the Twins this season, they are missing out. Minnesota is in first place in the AL Central with a 3.5-game lead over the Guardians. One big reason for the Twins’ success this season is Buxton's play.

The star outfielder has stayed healthy for most of this season, which has led to Minnesota being competitive. The Twins are 36-26 with Buxton on the field and 10-11 without him this year. Buxton is hitting .226 at the plate with 22 home runs (fifth in the majors) and 40 RBIs. He’s also played 62 games -- his most since 2019 (87 games). If he can stay in good health and Minnesota holds its lead in the division, placing a bet on Buxton to win MVP isn’t a horrible play, especially when you factor in his world-class defense. Granted, you won’t wager your whole bankroll on him, but a hot week can push his odds to +4000 or more.

More AL MVP long shots to consider: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays (+4000); Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Yankees (+10000)

2022 NL MVP Long shots

Nolan Arenado, 3B, Cardinals (+3000). Arenado and Goldschmidt have been a dynamic duo in the middle of the Cardinals’ lineup this season, with Arenado slashing .292/.353/.537 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs.

He had a down month of May, hitting just .196 with four home runs and 15 RBIs. However, he picked it up last month, hitting .290 with five home runs and 17 RBIs. If he can have another month of hitting close to .300 and St. Louis takes first place in the NL Central, his odds will only improve.

More NL MVP long shots to consider: Ronald Acuna Jr., OF Braves (+3000); Francisco Lindor, SS, Mets (+4000); Dansby Swanson, SS Braves (+4000)

AL MVP 2022 odds

Odds courtesy of Vegas Insider

NL MVP 2022 odds