Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are putting up remarkable numbers, making a strong case for the NL and AL MVP awards, respectively.
In the annals of Major League Baseball, seasons like those being put up by Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge come along all too rarely. These two exceptional players are not only rewriting history but also compelling us to reconsider what is possible on a baseball field.
At the start of the season, Shohei Ohtani was a +950 long shot to win the NL MVP award. However, his dominance at the plate has vaulted him into a commanding -2300 favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook. As of August 25, Ohtani sits second in the league in home runs (41), tied for fourth in RBIs (94), and eighth in hits (148). He recently became the sixth member of the exclusive 40/40 club, showcasing his incredible power and consistency.
Ohtani and Judge Dominate: Historic Seasons in the Making
Aaron Judge has been equally, if not more impressive, in the American League. As of August 25, the New York Yankees slugger leads the league in home runs (51) and RBIs (122) and ranks second in average (.333). Judge is on pace to hit 63 home runs, a feat that would place him among baseball's most legendary hitters.
The dominance of Ohtani and Judge has been so pronounced that DraftKings Sportsbook has posted odds for "Ohtani vs. the field" and "Judge vs. the field" for MVP in the NL and AL, respectively. As of August 25, Ohtani is a -1400 favorite over any other player in the NL, while Judge is a -3000 favorite over any other player in the AL.
FanDuel Sportsbook has also introduced an intriguing prop bet on whether Ohtani and Judge will win the coveted Triple Crown. The Triple Crown is awarded to a player who leads his league in average, home runs, and RBIs, a rare feat achieved only 18 times in MLB history.
Judge is currently +520 to win the Triple Crown in the AL, while Ohtani is +1000 to win it in the NL. Both players have a legitimate chance to join baseball's elite, given their remarkable production to date.
The question remains: can Ohtani and Judge sustain their historic pace and continue to rewrite the record books? As we marvel at their brilliance, we can only anticipate the possibilities that lie ahead for these two generational talents.
