Major League Baseball

2023 MLB AL MVP odds on move; Favorites Ohtani, Judge go head-to-head

Updated Apr. 20, 2023 12:53 a.m. ET

Last season, New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge won the American League MVP, dethroning pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.

The two MLB superstars met head-to-head for the first time this season starting Tuesday. The three-game series will feature the top three AL MVP candidates at FOX Bet — don't forget about Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a three-time AL MVP.

Ohtani hit a two-run homer in the top of the first inning – as the Angels beat New York 5-2 at Yankee Stadium in the opener.

Judge stole the show Wednesday – with his bat and glove – as the Yankees won 3-2 in 10 innings.

Since the season started, the AL MVP odds have shifted. Let's dive into the movements and the current AL MVP odds.

Here are the top six players with the best odds to win AL MVP at FOX Bet:

Shohei Ohtani, Angels: +125 (bet $10 to win $22.50 total)
Aaron Judge, Yankees: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Mike Trout, Angles: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Julio Rodriguez, Mariners: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Yordan Alvarez, Astros: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)

Judge made a strong case for his MVP candidacy on Wednesday.

Ohtani, the second batter of the game, hit a high fly ball to center field where the 6-foot-7 Judge made a jumping, juggling catch to deny Ohtani a home run.

Judge then hit a two-run homer into the bullpen in the bottom of the inning. And he wasn't done – Judge made a sliding catch to rob Brandon Drury of extra bases in the eighth inning.

Aaron Judge makes an amazing catch to rob Shohei Ohtani of a home run

Aaron Judge of the Yankees leaped to rob Shohei Ohtani of the Angels of a home run.

Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees, 4:05 p.m ET Thursday, MLB Network

Point spread: Yankees -1 (Yankees favored to win by more than 1 run, otherwise Angels cover)
Moneyline: Yankees -167 favorites to win (bet $10 to win $15.99 total); Angels +140 underdogs to win (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Total scoring over/under: 8.5 runs scored by both teams combined

Ohtani started the season as the favorite to win AL MVP at FOX Bet at +220. His odds to win the award have since shortened (+125), thanks to his hot start.

In four starts (including Monday's rain-delayed game), Ohtani is 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in 21 innings pitched.

Ohtani is hitting .281 with four home runs and 11 RBIs with a .500 slugging percentage in his first 17 games.

Aaron Judge's two-run homer gives Yankees the lead over the Angels

Aaron Judge's two-run homer lands in the bullpen against the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani is coming off a standout performance for Japan at the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani was named tournament MVP after batting .435 and having a 1.86 ERA, earning the save in the title game against the United States.

When it comes to Judge's MVP odds, the number has remained steady since the start of the season at +700.

Judge is hitting .274 with six home runs, 11 RBIs and a .597 slugging percentage.

Yankees' Aaron Judge makes a diving catch against the Angels

Yankees star Aaron Judge made an incredible diving catch against the Angels in the top of the eighth.

Last season against the Yankees, Ohtani hit .292 with two doubles, two home runs, five RBIs and a .625 slugging percentage. He now has eight homers in 18 games against the Yankees.

Ohtani hit .247 in April but got hot in the summer, hitting .317 in August and .313 in September.

On the flip side, Judge hit .316 with three home runs, seven walks, six RBIs and a .789 slugging percentage against the Angels.

Judge started teeing off in May, hitting 12 home runs that month, 11 in June and 13 more in July en route to his Yankees record 62 homers.

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Ohtani hit .273 with 34 homers, 95 RBIs and a .519 slugging percentage last season to go with a 15-9 pitching record in 28 starts with a 2.33 ERA. In 166 innings pitched, he struck out 219 and walked 44. Despite Ohtani's big season, the Angels finished 73-89.

Judge finished the season with 131 RBIs, a .311 batting average and a .686 slugging percentage last season. He received 28 first-place votes for MVP, with Ohtani getting the other two.

Want to place a bet on who will win the AL MVP this season? Head over to FOX Bet for all your MLB betting action.

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