It’s the World Series that MLB and TV companies could only dream of, but in real life!
Over potentially seven games the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees will do battle to be crowned the best in baseball.
But who should you back as World Series MVP? Our baseball boffin Peter Sharland breaks it all down…
WORLD SERIES MVP Picks
Favourite: Shohei Ohtani
Dark Horse: Juan Soto
Long Shot: Giancarlo Stanton
GAME 1: Tonight, 1:09am
WHERE: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
TV: TNT Sports
Favourite: Shohei Ohtani
Let’s start with the two clear favourites, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge. On a very basic level it is not often that we get the two best players in baseball on either side of a World Series match-up.
These are the two MVPs for the National League and American League respectively and they are the two most recognisable names in the sport. You know the numbers by now, Ohtani with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases across the regular season. Three more home runs and 12 runs in total have already followed in his debut postseason. Judge crashed in four more homers in the regular season and has two extra in the postseason.
The interesting thing here is that for both it will have to come down to hitting. Ohtani isn’t really stealing anymore and of course despite what fans may want to believe he won’t be pitching. Judge for his part is far from an elite defender, so it will all be down to the bat.
One thing that tips it for us here is Ohtani’s hilarious record with runners in scoring position. That is played out in the stats. Ohtani has 12 runs, 12 hits, 10 RBIs and three homers in the postseason so far this year. Judge has six runs, five hits, six RBIs and two homers. Now because of how the Yankees line-up struggled particularly at times against the Royals it means that Judge has only had 31 at bats against Ohtani’s 42. But even then the length of the Dodgers’ line-up could play into Ohtani’s favour here as well.
And ultimately this is an award that is in part influenced by name brand, it’s going to be really hard to look past them.
Dark Horse: Juan Soto
But what about their partners in crime, Mookie Betts and Juan Soto? I mean whisper it but Betts and Soto have more hits than their respective team-mates and more home runs…
If you want a bit more value then both players provide it compared to Ohtani and Judge. They will have to do more to earn the award but both are more than capable of completely taking over a series.
We would lean towards Soto because he seems more comfortable with where he is at when he’s at the plate. If the MVP award is based on moments consider this. Soto has 10 postseason home runs in just three years and nine separate series. Betts has eight homers in eight years and 16 series. Also don’t forget Soto is bidding to earn a historic contract in free agency this offseason, a strong world series could potentially even push him past Ohtani…
Long Shot: Giancarlo Stanton
Wildcards? Our favourites are Giancarlo Stanton (10 hits and five homers in the postseason so far plus the LCS MVP award), Tommy Edman (his team’s LCS MVP along with a remarkable 15 postseason hits) and maybe the new Mr October Kike Hernandez (10 hits and two clutch homers) as players who could put together a real string of moments that leave voters with no choice.
If we had to pick one we’d lead Stanton as he seems the most primed to really do something that etches his name into the record books.
Yankees @ Dodgers World Series MVP
Favourite: Shohei Ohtani
Dark Horse: Juan Soto
Long Shot: Giancarlo Stanton
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Read More
- World Series Tips: We’ve a 16/1 Bet Builder for game 1 of Yankees @ Dodgers
- Read More on Major League Baseball at Paddy Power News
- What is baseball betting and how does it work?
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
