Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr., Astros' Yordan Alvarez Lead AL MVP Odds

Jason Green

06/15/2026

Nearing the midpoint of the 2026-27 MLB season, the dog days of summer are coming. Now is the time to make a futures bet to get solid AL MVP odds at online sportsbooks. 

As of June 9, Caesars Sportsbook has Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. leading the AL MVP odds at +145. 

After Witt Jr., the players with the shortest AL MVP odds include Yordan Alvarez (+150), Ben Rice (+300), Nick Kurtz (+900), and Julio Rodriguez (+2200). Shea Langeliers, Junior Caminero, and Jose Ramirez are all at +3500. 

Current AL MVP odds

AL MVP odds: Betting favorites 

As Witt Jr. and Alvarez pull away in the odds to win American League MVP, we take a look at the players near the top of the board.

Bobby Witt Jr. (+145)

Witt Jr.’s (.280, 9 home runs, 27 RBIs) numbers are not eye-popping, and his power numbers are down, but he is considered the best shortstop in the game and is tied for the most stolen bases. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) is a half a win higher than any other player in the AL. It would help if the Royals would get out of the basement of the AL Central, as only two players have ever won the MVP award on a last-place team. 

Yordan Alvarez (+150) 

Alvarez (.311, 22 home runs, 48 RBIs) has had a great first half for the Astros. The designated hitter currently ranks second in MLB in home runs, third in RBIs, and sixth in batting average. He has a hit in six straight games to start June, with two home runs and nine runs batted in.

Ben Rice (+300) 

Ranked top-8 in home runs and RBIs, Rice (.318, 15 home runs, 45 RBIs)  is having a breakout season. He needs to keep it up at the dish not only to stay in the MVP race but to help the Yankees, who recently lost reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge indefinitely to a rib injury. 

Nick Kurtz (+900) 

Kurtz (.282, 14 home runs, 48 RBIs) ranks tied for third in RBIs, and the Athletics’ first basemen had his on-base streak snapped at 48 games at the end of last month. 

Julio Rodríguez (+2200) 

Mariners center fielder Rodriguez (.256, 13 home runs, 32 RBIs) has not put up huge numbers, but according to MLB.com, he is the best CF in the game. 

Shea Langeliers (+3500) 

Langeliers (.285, 17 home runs, 35 RBIs) of the Athletics is among the league leaders in home runs and is considered one of the better catchers in baseball. 

Junior Caminero (+3500) 

Caminero (.277, 14 home runs, 30 RBIs) is having a solid season for the Rays and is one of the better defensive third basemen in the game. 

Jose Ramirez (+3500) 

Ramirez (.238, 10 home runs, 33 RBIs) is tied for the lead in the Majors in stolen bases and leads the Guardians in home runs and RBIs. While one of the better defensive third basemen, his batting average needs to rise to increase his AL MVP odds. 

Sleeper picks in AL MVP odds  

• Twins’ Byron Buxton (+5000) – Buxton (.256, 18 home runs, 28 RBIs) is among the league leaders in home runs and total bases.
• Yankees’ Cody Bellinger (+10000) – A solid outfielder with good numbers. Bellinger (.276, 9 home runs, 43 RBIs) needs to tear it up in the second half to have a shot.

Best bet: Ben Rice (+300) 

Rice has put up great numbers for a Yankees team that is currently tied for first place in the AL East. He also gets a little help from the two guys with better AL MVP odds. Witt Jr. is playing for a Royals team that is tied for the second fewest wins in the American League, and Alvarez is a designated hitter. Shohei Ohtani is the only DH who has ever claimed the MVP award. 

Rice will have a strong second half, keeping the Yankees in contention even without Judge for an extended period of time. His numbers will be solid playing for a contending team, which is why he will take home AL MVP honors.