The race for the 2025 National League MVP saw a pivotal moment on Monday night when Shohei Ohtani made his first pitching appearance since recovering from Tommy John surgery. Although Ohtani allowed a run in the one inning he pitched, his fastball reached an impressive 100 miles per hour, signaling a promising comeback. This performance has intensified interest in Ohtani’s chances as the NL MVP frontrunner, dramatically shifting the betting landscape.
Before his return to the mound, Ohtani was already the favorite, but his odds have tightened significantly—moving from -250 last week to a commanding -600 now. Continued strong hitting combined with effective pitching could expand his gap over other contenders in the race.
Current Top Contenders and Their Odds
The current odds for the 2025 NL MVP strongly favor Shohei Ohtani at -600. Trailing him by a wide margin are players like Pete Crow-Armstrong at +1600 and Corbin Carroll along with Pete Alonso tied at +2500. Other notable names include Juan Soto, Freddie Freeman, Fernando Tatis Jr., Francisco Lindor, and Kyle Tucker, all listed at +4000 odds. The full lineup of contenders, ranging from established stars to rising talents, reflects the competitiveness of the league heading into the season’s critical stretch.
- Shohei Ohtani -600
- Pete Crow-Armstrong +1600
- Corbin Carroll +2500
- Pete Alonso +2500
- Juan Soto +4000
- Freddie Freeman +4000
- Fernando Tatis Jr. +4000
- Francisco Lindor +4000
- Kyle Tucker +4000
- Kyle Schwarber +5000
- Ketel Marte +7000
- Manny Machado +8000
- Elly De La Cruz +8000
- James Wood +10000
- Seiya Suzuki +10000
- Mookie Betts +10000
- Bryce Harper +11000
- Paul Skenes +11000
- Ronald Acuna Jr. +11000
- Marcell Ozuna +20000
- Trea Turner +20000
- Jackson Merrill +20000
- Jackson Chourio +20000
- Matt Olson +20000
- Oneil Cruz +20000
- Austin Riley +25000
- Josh Naylor +25000
- Teoscar Hernandez +25000
- Eugenio Suarez +25000
Evaluating the MVP Race Beyond Ohtani
Despite not delivering a flawless pitching performance, Ohtani’s overall contributions solidify his dominance in the MVP race. He currently leads the National League in home runs and on-base plus slugging (OPS), while maintaining a .300 batting average, which ranks sixth in the league. In addition to his offensive skills, Ohtani has stolen 11 bases and holds the second-highest Wins Above Replacement (WAR) in the league at 3.6. If he continues to be productive on the mound, even at a modest level, his bid for a second straight MVP would be formidable.
Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs remains the next most impressive challenger. His five-tool abilities and clutch performances keep him a strong contender at +1600 odds. However, playing alongside Kyle Tucker, who himself is having a season warranting MVP attention, may dilute Crow-Armstrong’s vote count despite his strong case for the award.
Francisco Lindor, valued at +4000, represents another intriguing option for bettors. After a strong finish to last season that helped the Mets into the postseason, Lindor continues to perform well on the NL’s top team this year. Should he heat up again in the final stretch, his chances could improve considerably. Yet, like Crow-Armstrong, he faces stiff competition within his own team from stars such as Pete Alonso and Juan Soto, which may divide votes.
Guidelines for Responsible Sports Betting
As the excitement around the NL MVP odds builds, it is important for fans to bet responsibly. While sports betting can heighten the enjoyment of games, maintaining control and a balanced approach ensures a positive experience. Betting should be treated as entertainment rather than a source of income.
Key advice for responsible wagering includes sticking to a predefined budget, never betting money needed for essentials, and avoiding attempts to recover losses quickly. Utilizing sportsbook tools like deposit limits and time-out options can help maintain discipline. Recognizing that even the best bets lose occasionally keeps expectations realistic and the activity enjoyable.
For those facing gambling challenges, resources are available, including the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline operating in many states such as AZ, CT, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, OH, TN, VA, VT, WV, and WY.
Responsible gaming promotes safety and fun as more fans engage with betting markets continuously expanding throughout the season.