2013 MLB National League MVP Odds and Predictions: Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: Until recently, the National League Most Valuable Player Award had gone through a series of dynasties. San Franciso outfielder Barry Bonds ripped off four straight beginning in 2001, and St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols followed by winning the award three times in five years with a two different Phillies’ players going back-to-back in between. Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto ended the Pujols dynasty in 2010, and since then Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun and San Francisco catcher Buster Posey have gone on to claim MVP honors. Of course, the three most recent winners are certainly capable of starting dynasties of their own, but there are plenty of other players waiting to take their turn at the top. With that in mind, here is a look at the top NL MVP contenders for the 2013 MLB season.
2013 MLB National League MVP Odds and Predictions
The Favorites
Had he not injured his knee last year, Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto probably would have collected his second MVP Award. He played just 111 games, but he still finished second in the NL with 44 doubles and led the league with 94 walks. Had he had enough at bats to qualify, Votto would have also won a batting title. Meanwhile, his 1.041 OPS was the best in the majors. Votto is the probably the best pure hitter in the majors today, and as the main offensive weapon for a Cincinnati team that should be one of the best in the NL, he is in prime position to contend for MVP honors.
Since there doesn’t seem to be a PED allegation that can be definitively pinned to him, Milwaukee outfielder Ryan Braun should once again be among the league leaders in every offensive category. After winning the MVP in 2011, he led the NL in homers and runs scored last year while finishing in the top three in batting average, RBIs, slugging percentage and OPS. The versatile Braun also chipped in 30 steals. Throw in the fact that he put up his 2012 numbers without the protection that Prince Fielder provided in his MVP season, and there is no reason to think his numbers will dip in 2013. If Braun can at least get the Brewers in the mix for a playoff spot, his statistics should do the rest of the talking.
The Dark Horses
San Francisco catcher Buster Posey will be trying to defend both his MVP and the Giants’ World Series crown in 2013, and he has the tools to get the job done. He won the NL batting title with a .336 average last season, and he hit 24 home runs and had 103 RBIs for a San Francisco team that didn’t have much pop in its lineup outside of Posey. Throw in the fact that he manages a pitching staff that is the strength of the team and one of the best in the league, and he is no doubt the most important player the franchise has right now. If he has another strong year at the plate and behind and the Giants head back to the postseason, back-to-back MVPs aren’t out of the question.
Injuries limited him to just 106 games last year, and Los Angeles outfielder Matt Kemp was far from 100 percent in many of the games he did play. Still, he managed to hit .303 with 23 homers, 69 RBIs and 74 runs scored. The year before, he hit .324 with 39 home runs, 126 RBIs, 115 runs scored and 40 steals. Plain and simple, he has the best combination of power and speed in the NL when healthy. His numbers could be staggering as the most explosive bat in the middle of reloaded Dodgers’ lineup, and the biggest obstacle between Kemp and MVP honors is his own health.
If not for a late season collapse by the Pittsburgh Pirates, outfielder Andrew McCutchen may have been named NL MVP in 2012. Instead, he had to settle for a .327 average, 31 home runs, 96 RBIs and 107 runs scored. Those numbers were even more impressive when you consider Pittsburgh had the sixth-worst team average and scored the seventh-fewest runs last season. Basically, McCutchen was the lone bright spot for an otherwise below horrible offense, and he is going to be in a similar situation in 2013. If he can keep the Pirates in the playoff hunt with another strong year at the plate, his efforts won’t go unnoticed by voters.
Sleeper Special
One of the reasons the St. Louis Cardinals still made the playoffs last year despite losing Albert Pujols to free agency was because of contributions from players like Allen Craig. Playing a variety of positions, he finished 2012 with a .307 average, 22 home runs and 92 RBIs. Those numbers are rock solid, and by the way, he played just 119 games. If the nagging injuries that plagued him last year stay away, a full season for Craig should include 30-plus home runs and well over 100 RBIs. Those numbers would really jump off the page, and if he produces at that level and the Cardinals head back to the postseason, Craig could become the first St. Louis player since Pujols to win the NL MVP.
Odds to win the 2013 NL MVP
Joey Votto
15/2
Matt Kemp
9/1
Ryan Braun
9/1
Bryce Harper
10/1
Buster Posey
12/1
Andrew McCutchen
15/1
Stephen Strasburg
15/1
Clayton Kershaw
18/1
Jason Heyward
20/1
Justin Upton
20/1
Ryan Howard
20/1
Troy Tulowitzki
20/1
Adrian Gonzalez
25/1
Aramis Ramirez
25/1
Chase Headley
25/1
David Wright
25/1
Giancarlo Stanton
25/1
Jay Bruce
25/1
Matt Holliday
25/1
Ryan Zimmerman
25/1
Yadier Molina
25/1
Allen Craig
33/1
B.J. Upton
33/1
Carlos Gonzalez
33/1
Hunter Pence
33/1
Rickie Weeks
33/1
Starlin Castro
33/1
Michael Young
75/1
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