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

2012 National League MVP Vegas Odds and Predictions – Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers to Win the 2012 NL MVP Award: National League MVP hopefuls won’t have to worry about competing with defending-winner Ryan Braun for the award this season. The Milwaukee outfielder will likely miss the first 50 games of the 2012 season after testing positive for a banned substance. Braun is appealing the results, but his chances of getting the ruling reversed are almost as slim as his chances of repeating as MVP if he does indeed miss 50 games. As a result, there are several other worthy candidates that suddenly find their window of opportunity very open.

The Favorites – 2012 NL MVP Odds and Predictions

Had the Los Angeles Dodgers been able to make the playoffs, Matt Kemp would have won the NL MVP last season. He nearly took home the Triple Crown, leading the league with 39 home runs and 126 RBIs. His .324 average was only good enough for third, but his 115 runs scored also topped all National League players. Not to mention the fact that he finished second in total hits (195) and stolen bases (40) while playing center field. Kemp is in his prime, and if he threatens 40-40 and makes another run at the Triple Crown, it’s hard to imagine him not taking home MVP honors.

Despite hitting .309 with 29 home runs, 103 RBIs and 101 runs scored, Joey Votto managed to fly under the radar in 2011. A big reason why was that the Cincinnati Reds failed to contend for a playoff spot one year after winning the Central Division. In 2012, Albert Pujols is no longer with St. Louis, and Milwaukee will be without Prince Fielder and probably Braun for a good chunk of the year. The Cincinnati front office smelled the blood in the water and made several moves in the offseason to win this season. Votto is one of the most productive and polished hitters in baseball, and he won the NL MVP Award in 2010 when the Reds reached the postseason. There is no reason he can’t do it again in 2012 with Cincinnati the frontrunners in its division.

The Dark Horses – 2012 NL MVP Odds and Predictions

He got a big contract in the offseason from the Miami Marlins, and now Jose Reyes has to start earning his paychecks. Reyes won the NL batting title last season with a .337 average, and he added 101 runs scored, 39 steals and a league-leading 16 triples. Reyes will be the table setter for a young, but talented Marlins’ lineup. If he has another big year and helps Miami make a splash, voters will definitely look his way when it comes time to decide the MVP. Playing a position like shortstop where strong offensive players are few and far between boosts his value even further.

Of course, the premier offensive weapon at shortstop is Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki. He hit .302 last season to go along with 30 home runs and 105 RBI’s. It was the third straight season that Tulowitzki has had at least 27 homers, and he increased his RBI total for the third season in a row. The Rockies underperformed as a team last season, which crippled Tulowitzki’s MVP chances. However, his numbers were more than deserving of earning him the award, and since he only seems to be getting better, Tulowitzki may not have to wait long to take home MVP honors.

The Sleepers – 2012 NL MVP Odds and Predictions

The Arizona Diamondbacks surprised a lot of people last year by winning the National West. Career years by several young players helped power Arizona to the division crown, and outfielder Justin Upton emerged as the superstar of the bunch. He hit .289 with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs. He also added 21 stolen bases and scored 105 runs. Upton will be playing in just his fourth full season in 2012, and coming off the best season of his career, it seems safe to assume he is entering his prime. Upton has a rare combination of power and speed, and if he can improve his discipline at the plate just a bit, he could sneak up and win the NL MVP.

It hasn’t happened since Bob Gibson won the award in 1968, but Philadelphia starter Roy Halladay could become one of the few pitchers to win the National League MVP. After all, he finished in the top four in the league in wins, strikeouts, ERA and WHIP last season. More importantly, he led the NL in innings pitched. The Phillies posted the best record in baseball last year, even with an inconsistent offense. With sluggers Chase Utley and Ryan Howard both dealing with nagging injuries to start the year, the team’s elite pitching staff will could be leaned on even more heavily in 2012. As the ace and the anchor of the rotation, Halladay could take home more than just a Cy Young Award with a big year.

Odds to win the 2012 National League MVP Award
Joey Votto 7/1
Ryan Braun 8/1
Matt Kemp 9/1
Justin Upton 10/1
Giancarlo Stanton 10/1
Troy Tulowitzki 12/1
Jose Reyes 15/1
Starlin Castro 20/1
Matt Holliday 20/1
Ryan Zimmerman 20/1
Hunter Pence 25/1
Buster Posey 25/1
Hanley Ramirez 25/1
Clayton Kershaw 25/1
Jay Bruce 25/1
Carlos Gonzalez 30/1
David Wright 30/1
Roy Halladay 30/1
Brian McCann 30/1
Carlos Quentin 35/1
Tim Lincecum 35/1
David Freese 35/1
Cliff Lee 35/1
Andrew McCutchen 35/1
Cole Hamels 40/1
Rickie Weeks 40/1
Lance Berkman 40/1
Shane Victorino 40/1
Mike Morse 50/1
Stephen Strasburg 50/1
Aramis Ramirez 50/1
Johan Santana 75/1

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