2012 MLB AL MVP Odds and Predictions – AL MVP Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2012 American League MVP Vegas Odds and Predictions – Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers to Win the 2012 AL MVP Award: Last season, Detroit starter Justin Verlander pulled off a rare feat, winning the American League MVP. He was the first pitcher to win the award since Dennis Eckersley in 1992 and the first starter to win since Roger Clemens in 1986. Repeating as MVP could be an even tougher task, considering Hal Newhouser was the last pitcher to win the award in back-to-back years, doing so in 1944 and 1945. Not to mention the fact that there are plenty of other worthy candidates gunning for the top honor in the AL.

The Favorites – 2012 AL MVP Odds and Predictions

Although Verlander may be facing an uphill battle to win MVP honors, another Tigers’ player could be his successor. Miguel Cabrera has been one of the steadiest hitters in the game for last several seasons and has been a lock to hit .300, along with 30-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs. Last year, he led the AL with a .344 average for a Detroit team that won the Central Division. With the addition of slugger Prince Fielder in the offseason, Cabrera’s numbers should only improve with added protection in the lineup. This could be the year that his numbers are simply too good to ignore.

Boston’s epic collapse ruined Adrian Gonzalez’s chances of winning the MVP Award, but his numbers were impressive nonetheless. He finished second in the AL with a .338 batting average and third with 117 RBIs. Gonzalez has always been one of the better hitters in the game, and his numbers exploded with his move to hitter-friendly Fenway Park. Slotted in the middle of a loaded lineup and playing for a Red Sox’s team that is a perennial playoff contender, Gonzalez should be a threat for MVP honors for the next several seasons.

The Dark Horses – 2012 AL MVP Odds and Predictions

It turns out the Jose Bautista’s 54 home run season in 2010 wasn’t a fluke. He followed his breakout campaign with a 43-homer year in 2011 and drove in more than 100 runs for the second consecutive season. More importantly, Bautista hit a career-high .302, adding consistency to his suddenly-potent power. Playing for a Toronto team that is the fourth-best team at best in the AL East hurts his chances, but if his offensive numbers continue to be among the best in baseball, voters will have to consider Bautista.

After being named National League MVP three times, Albert Pujols will get his first crack at doing the same in the AL this season. He is arguably the best right-handed hitter in baseball, and his numbers will be inevitably near the top in all major offensive categories. However, he is facing unbelievable expectations, and he basically has to lead the Angels to a division title to meet them. A great offensive year alone isn’t going to be enough for Pujols, and in many ways, he could find himself a victim of his own success.

The Sleepers – 2012 American League MVP Odds and Predictions

He is one of the best all-around players in baseball, and Jacoby Ellsbury could make a serious run at the MVP Award in 2012. After all, he finished sixth or better in the AL in batting average, home runs, runs scored, RBIs and stolen bases last season. Ellsbury stuffs the stat sheet as well as any player in the game, and his numbers aren’t likely to dip as long as he is hitting atop the Boston lineup. A 40-40 year is a definite possibility.

Power-hitting second basemen are few and far between, and power-hitting second baseman that his .300 and drive in 110-plus runs on a regular basis are luxuries. New York’s Robinson Cano delivers those numbers on a yearly basis, and playing at such a premier position only increases his value. The problem for Cano is that even though the Yankees always seem to be title contenders, the lineup is loaded with other star players. Cano will have to push his already-impressive numbers to another level to distinguish himself from teammates Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and others.

Odds to win the 2012 American League MVP Award
Albert Pujols 11/2
Adrian Gonzalez 15/2
Miguel Cabrera 15/2
Prince Fielder 12/1
Robinson Cano 12/1
Jose Bautista 12/1
Evan Longoria 15/1
Jacoby Ellsbury 18/1
Mark Teixeira 18/1
Joe Mauer 20/1
Josh Hamilton 20/1
Dustin Pedroia 22/1
Adrian Beltre 25/1
Ian Kinsler 25/1
Justin Verlander 25/1
Alex Rodriguez 25/1
Justin Morneau 30/1
Carl Crawford 30/1
Jered Weaver 35/1
Felix Hernandez 35/1
David Price 40/1
C.C Sabathia 40/1
Michael Young 40/1
Mark Reynolds 50/1
C.J. Wilson 50/1
Derek Jeter 50/1
Curtis Granderson 50/1
Yoenis Cespedes 50/1
Ichiro Suzuki 50/1
Adam Lind 50/1
Matt Wieters 50/1
Eric Hosmer 50/1
Jon Lester 75/1
Paul Konerko 75/1

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