A new contender has entered the MVP race, adding an unexpected twist to the Major League Baseball season.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani stole three bases against the Arizona Diamondbacks, bringing his season totals to 44 home runs and 46 stolen bases. He’s now on the brink of achieving the rare 50-50 milestone—50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.
According to FOX Sports, the MVP race is beginning to take shape with only about a month left in the regular season. In the American League, Aaron Judge is leading as the overwhelming favorite, with odds at -3000. In the National League, Ohtani remains a strong favorite for the MVP award.
However, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets is gaining significant traction. Sports Illustrated has highlighted Lindor’s exceptional defensive skills compared to Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken. The publication notes, “The 330-year-old has been swinging the ball extremely well all summer, posting an elite .871 OPS in June, a .941 OPS and 9 home runs in July, and a .939 OPS in August.” Lindor has emerged as a prominent MVP candidate, second only to Ohtani, according to former Mets manager Buck Showalter.
Lindor boasts a batting average of .269, 29 home runs, and 80 RBIs, and he ranks first in the league in WAR (Wins Above Replacement), an important indicator for the MVP. Showalter, who knows Lindor’s talents, stated, “I’d go with Lindor for MVP. I’d go with Lindor impacting things. I know too much about what he does in the clubhouse, and the guy is there in front of his locker every day, an accountable baseball player who concentrates on playing shortstop. He makes his teammates better.” He emphasized, “Lindor can go 0-for-4 and win a game; those DHs (Ohtani) can’t go 0-for-4 and win a game.”
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