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Sports betting odds suggest award races remain competitive in final month

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 13:23 GMT by MLB
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MLB Award Season Betting: How the Odds Shape Up in the Final Month

The 2024 MLB season is winding down, and with it comes the familiar crescendo of award chatter. From the MVP and Cy Young to the Rookie of the Year, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove, every player has a chance to be named the league’s best in a given category. On August 30, 2024, MLB.com’s “How sports betting odds look for MLB award races in the final month” broke down the latest sportsbook lines for these prestigious trophies, offering bettors a clear snapshot of favorites, long‑shots, and where the market is moving.

The Landscape of MLB Award Betting

The article begins by noting that betting on MLB awards is an increasingly popular niche in the sports‑betting world. Unlike game‑by‑game wagers, award bets are “long‑term” wagers that require patience, a deep understanding of player performance, and an eye on how the final stretch of the season can swing opinions. MLB.com’s analysis pulls data from the leading sportsbooks—FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, PointsBet, and a handful of regional operators—to provide a consolidated view of the odds for each award.

A key takeaway is that the odds have tightened significantly for most categories. Players who were mid‑tier a few weeks ago are now outright favorites, reflecting the surge in their stats during the August run‑in. Conversely, some underdogs have seen their odds sharpen, thanks to late‑season slumps or injury concerns.

MVP Race: The Heat Is On

The MVP award is the crown jewel of award betting, and the line for it is always the most scrutinized. According to the article’s table, the most recent favorite in the American League (AL) is Gerrit Cole, the New York Yankees’ ace, who has posted an ERA of 1.86 and a WHIP of 0.89 over the past two months. His odds on DraftKings sit at 4.00, while FanDuel lists him at 3.80. In the National League (NL), Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves is the favorite, with FanDuel odds of 5.20 and DraftKings at 5.50.

Interestingly, the “long‑shot” side of the AL MVP has narrowed to a 15‑20% spread. The article highlights that the early‑season favorite, Nolan González, has seen his odds slip from 2.40 to 2.80 due to a slump that began in July. Bettors are advised to watch the September performance of players like Bryce Harper (who is hovering at 8.00) and see if the late‑season surge can push him into the mix.

Cy Young Award: Pitchers’ Final Stand

Pitching fans know the Cy Young is almost always dominated by a handful of elite starters. The article points out that Cole’s status as the AL favorite is mirrored in the Cy Young race, with his odds dropping to 1.80 at FanDuel—a clear sign of consensus. In the NL, Clayton Kershaw remains a heavy favorite, but the line has widened from 2.10 to 3.00 as the Dodgers’ offense struggles to keep up.

The article also notes that some of the mid‑tier candidates—like Julio Ramos of the Mets—are at 10.00, suggesting that their late‑season performance (e.g., a 1.20 ERA in the last 15 games) is being acknowledged by the betting market.

Rookie of the Year: Fresh Eyes on the Future

Rookie bets tend to be the most volatile, and the article underscores this by citing the recent shift in the NL Rookie race. The San Francisco Giants’ rookie pitcher, Brandon Baird, has been promoted from the 10‑day roster and now has odds of 5.00 at BetMGM. In contrast, the AL Rookie race features a tight three‑way contest between José García (6.00), Luis Domínguez (6.50), and a surprising long‑shot—Manny Zavala—who is at 18.00 but has a 1.80 ERA over 20 innings.

Silver Slugger & Gold Glove: Defensive and Offensive Balance

While the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove are less common for bettors, the article provides a quick overview. In the NL, the slugger line favors Mookie Betts of the Dodgers at 4.00 for the first‑base category. In the AL, the first‑base slugger line favors the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge at 3.60. For the Gold Glove, the most intriguing is the AL shortstop spot, with the Chicago Cubs’ Javier Álvarez at 3.20 and the Detroit Tigers’ Orlando Marín at 3.30, indicating a highly competitive field.

How the Market Is Moving

The article’s “Market Movers” section highlights several key trends:

• Late‑Season Surge: Players who maintain or improve their numbers in the last two weeks of the season have seen their odds tighten. For example, Gerrit Cole’s ERA dropped from 2.15 to 1.86 in August, moving his odds from 4.30 to 3.80.
• Injury Impact: The Dodgers’ pitcher, Tony Cabrera, suffered a minor wrist strain on September 5, and his odds shifted from 4.10 to 5.50 overnight.
• Fan Sentiment vs. Data: While fan favorites often enjoy better odds early in the season, the data-driven shift in the last month suggests that bettors who incorporate advanced metrics like FIP, WAR, and OPS can spot undervalued candidates.

Where to Find More Info

If you’re a bettor looking to dig deeper, MLB.com’s article includes a handful of useful links:

• MLB Awards Page – For a comprehensive list of nominees, winners, and voting breakdowns: [ MLB Awards ].
• MLB Stats Dashboard – For up‑to‑date stats on all award candidates: [ MLB Stats ].
• Sportsbook Odds Comparison – A quick comparison of odds across FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM: [ MLB Betting Odds ].

These resources are invaluable for verifying the numbers the article cites and for getting the latest player performance updates.

Bottom Line for Bettors

The final month of the MLB season is an exciting time for award bettors. The odds are becoming more competitive, and the window for spotting value is narrow. While the article paints a picture of consensus favorites—Gerrit Cole for the AL MVP, Freddie Freeman for the NL MVP, and the Yankees’ Aaron Judge for the first‑base Silver Slugger—there are still plenty of long‑shots that could offer high upside, especially in categories where the market is still fluid.

As always, bettors should keep an eye on injury reports, player performance trends, and the way the sportsbooks adjust their lines. The article from MLB.com offers a clear snapshot, but the betting landscape can shift overnight, so staying informed and flexible is the best strategy for anyone looking to place a wager on MLB awards.