Judge and Ohtani are MVP favorites, but there’s still plenty of time left in baseball’s awards races

Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are the leading candidates for baseball’s MVP award, according to oddsmakers.

It’s only the All-Star break, but one or two clear favorites have emerged for several of the game’s top honors. With play set to resume on Friday, here’s a look at what the betting lines have to say, courtesy of BetMGM sports betting.

The favorite: Aaron Judge, Yankees (-350)

Top challenger: Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (+240)

Longest Throws: Juan Soto, Yankees (+1800), Bobby Witt Jr., Royals (+2000), José Ramirez (+5000)

Judge and Henderson split in what once seemed like it could be a race for four players, and Judge’s odds being less than money may come as a surprise to some. The Yankees (-115) are just a slight favorite to win the AL East, so clearly the market believes Judge has a decent chance to win MVP honors even if New York finishes behind Baltimore.

The Favorite: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (-375)

Biggest challenger: Bryce Harper, Phillies (+450)

Longest Shots: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (+2,000), Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (+2,500), Marcell Ozuna, Braves (+2,500)

Injuries to Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mookie Betts helped Ohtani’s chances. As a full-time designated hitter this year, he may face some resistance from voters, but perhaps what Ohtani does on the bases — he’s tied for third in the majors with 23 steals — could make up for his lack of defensive value.

The favorite: Tarik Skubal, Tigers (-150)

Biggest challenger: Corbin Burnes, Orioles (+325)

Longest Shots: Logan Gilbert, Mariners (+1200), Seth Lugo, Royals (+1200), Garrett Crochet, White Sox (+2800), Tanner Houck, Red Sox (+2800)

Burnes was the pick to start the All-Star Game, but Skubal (10-3, 2.41 ERA) is the favorite for Cy Young. Of course, there’s at least some possibility the Detroit lefty could be traded to the National League before the deadline.

The favorite: Chris Sale, Braves (+115)

Top challenger: Zack Wheeler, Phillies (+155)

Longest Throws: Paul Skenes, Pirates (+400), Ranger Suárez, Phillies (+2,800), Logan Webb, Giants (+3,000), Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers (+3,000)

Sale finished in the top six in American League Cy Young voting for seven consecutive years from 2012-18, but never won. It would be incredible if he finally won the award now, on the NL side, at age 35.

The favorite: Wyatt Langford, Rangers (+120)

The challenger: Luis Gil, Yankees (+200)

Longest Throws: Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox (+1100), Colton Cowser, Orioles (+1200), Wilyer Abreu, Red Sox (+1600), Mason Miller, Athletics (+1600)

Langford is the favorite among hitters and Gil among pitchers. Langford hit for the cycle last month, but Gil is well ahead of him in Wins Above Replacement – ​​in both the Baseball Reference and FanGraphs versions.

The favorite: Paul Skenes, Pirates (-1200)

The challenger: Jackson Merrill, Padres (+500)

Longest Throws: Shota Imanaga, Cubs (+2,800), Gavin Stone, Dodgers (+4,000), Michael Busch, Cubs (+4,000)

The biggest favorite for any of these awards is Skenes for Rookie of the Year. That makes sense, given that he’s also entered the Cy Young conversation — though there’s always some risk of injury with pitchers, and it’s unclear how much the Pirates will pressure him if they don’t stay in the postseason race.

The Favorite: Stephen Vogt, Guardians (-155)

The challenger: Alex Cora, Red Sox (+230)

Longer plans: Matt Quatraro, Royals (+950), Brandon Hyde, Orioles (+1700), Rocco Baldelli, Twins (+1700)

Vogt had to fill Terry Francona’s shoes, and Cleveland has the best record in the AL after finishing 10 games under .500 last year. Quatraro’s Royals are in contention, but for how long?

The favorite: Pat Murphy, Brewers (+100)

The challenger: Rob Thomson, Phillies (+125)

Longest pitches: Oliver Marmol, Cardinals (+1700), Carlos Mendoza, Mets (+1700), Mike Shildt, Padres (+1700)

Murphy is similar to Vogt. He replaced a successful manager – in this case Craig Counsell – and has his team first. Thomson’s Phillies have the best record in baseball, however. It seems like anyone could end up in the last two wildcard spots in the NL. Perhaps one of these teams will surprise enough for their coach to reap the reward.

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