Soto hit .282/.401/.548 with 34 homers last year, improved his defense from a minus to a plus, hit five more homers in the postseason, and won’t even be 22 until after this year's regular season. Despite only a 60-game sample size, there's plenty of drama to go around as baseball honors the best of 2020. Yes.) But. first page of the Statcast average exit velocity leaderboard! Shane Bieber, Indians. Abreu had a career year for a White Sox team that made the playoffs for the first time since 2008. The Twins won 101 games in 2019 without Donaldson (or Rich Hill, Kenta Maeda or Homer Bailey). Mets pitcher threw nine pitches before NY-MIA was suspended due to a rainout, Angels OF will get surgery after injuring knee on Friday; recovery time estimated at 6-9 months, @MartyFenn breaks down the most stunning MLB starts to the new season, Alex Rodriguez and businessman Marc Lore are finalizing $1.5 billion deal to become owners of the Minnesota NBA and WNBA franchises. (Here is your reminder that the Ewing Theory is a rhetorical trick and absolutely not real.) The Dodgers have two MVP-caliber outfielders, and I just bypassed both, but we’re trying to get to narrative here, and the thought of “Mookie Betts arrived in L.A. and the Dodgers won only 102 games, four less than without him” already makes me cringe. Since you swiped him, I’ll go a little Ewing Theory on you. Whereas Betts led baseball in bWAR, Freeman (along with Ramirez) led all players in fWAR, per FanGraphs. Petriello: At just 20 years old last year, Tatís hit .317/.379/.590 with 22 homers and 16 steals in just half a season (he played in only 84 games due to injuries). Let’s take a look at some of the best 2020 MVP bets for Major League Baseball. That means that it's not just about choosing "best players" or "ranking Wins Above Replacement," though it's surely a little about those things too. However, I just … Petriello: It probably says a lot about how high the expectations are for Harper that in his first year in Philadelphia, he hit 35 homers, drove in 114 RBIs, slugged .510, improved his defense over the previous year, and the general reaction was a collective shrug. Despite only a 60-game sample size, there's plenty of drama to go around as baseball honors the best of 2020. Considering the fact that Mike Trout has won three American League Most Valuable Player Awards as a member of the Los Angeles Angels, including last year, it is no surprise that he is a prohibitive favorite to do it again for 2020. Every improvement you could have possibly hoped for happened last year, and you still get the sense he’s just scratching the surface. 2020 Winner: Jose Abreu, White Sox 1B. Chapman's batting average and on-base percentage were down in 2019, but his power was up (36 homers, 12 more than his previous career high). Thu 1st April 2021 . MLB Player to Score Most Runs 2020 Season - Predictions and Betting Odds Newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts leads the odds for posting the most runs in the 2020 MLB season. He carried Tampa Bay to the AL pennant in 2020, setting MLB postseason records with 10 home runs, 29 hits and 64 total bases. Patriots 2021 Draft Plans Predictions: QB Edition. Anyway, due to all the trade talk surrounding Lindor, sometimes I think we forget just how incredibly good he is. I also thought about going with Jacob deGrom, who I apparently pushed to be the 2018 NL MVP, because if he wins a third straight Cy Young Award and the Mets get to the postseason, you have to at least think about it. And one who is absolutely beloved by the local fanbase … and national writers giddy to document a Mets resurgence. 3.3k. Here are The Post’s baseball experts predictions for the 2021 MLB season. (Mike chimes in: Cheated? For 2021 MLB predictions, the Padres are expected to compete once again, as they have had a huge offseason thus far. The 2020 MLB awards finalists were announced on Monday. This is quite impressive considering FanGraphs usually punishes first basemen for positioning. Author: Matt Martell Publish date: Nov 11, 2020… MLB MVP 2020: Odds and Predictions for Mookie Betts, Nelson Cruz and More. Shane Bieber, Cleveland: Bieber has a lot of bold and … The 26-year-old still has rookie eligibility for 2021, and our experts think he's going to keep raking. The 2020 MLB awards season is upon us. 2020 NL MVP Futures Betting Odds & Predictions 3-30-2020: Keep visiting Cappers Picks for MLB odds, and free baseball picks. I don’t have (or want) a BBWAA vote for MVP. Bryson DeChambeau is Changing Golf. In addition to the above statistics, the 33-year-old was the only one of the three players to rank in the top 10 in WPA, and he was also the only one to play all 60 games. He should have won it at the time anyway.). 2020 MLB AL MVP odds: MLB predictions and picks. That logic hasn’t resonated well with a lot of leagues, but the MLB sure gets it. Las Vegas, NV (April 2, 2021) – After a pandemic-shortened 60-game season in 2020, the MLB has officially embarked on a full 162-game schedule. MLB Betting Preview: Head Oddsmaker Shares Bold Predictions for 2021 Campaign Defending champion Dodgers open as favorites to repeat, Betts NL MVP … He won’t win any tiebreakers. MLB MVP Betting Odds and Analysis American League. SHARES. There’s just one potential problem with this: No one has ever won an MVP Award in a season where he was traded. likelihood of winning the 2020 World Series, the defending American League MVP Award winner, improved his defense from a minus to a plus. Fun fact: The Mets have never had an MVP Award winner, which is kind of crazy when you think about it. Well, probably second place to Trout. Time to break down all three finalists for the NL and AL MVP races. Leitch: If the White Sox have the season their front office clearly anticipates them having, it probably requires their veterans maintaining, their pitching maturing and their star young players taking considerable leaps forward. ALL RIGHT. But in 2020, the 60-game sample isn’t a sample at all. No, he hasn’t come close to repeating that in the four seasons since. But keep an eye out for star prospects on the horizon like Kelenic (MLB's No. 1:54PM . No one is Trout. Tatis is one of the best young sluggers as well, leading the Padres in homers (17), runs (50), and steals (11) over 59 games on his way to a fourth-place MVP finish in 2020. However, Cleveland's superstar faces stiff competition in Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu and New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu. Abreu clubbed 19 homers, and he also ranked fourth in wRC+, per FanGraphs. The league announced finalists for the major end-of-year awards on Monday, given out by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. | Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images. Not all of the top MLB betting sites have priced the NL MVP odds the same, and leaving equity on the table is a “no-no.” For example, Mookie Betts is +350 to win the 2020 NL MVP at MyBookie, which is not nearly as enticing as his +600 price tag at BetOnline. He carried Tampa Bay to the AL pennant in 2020, setting MLB postseason records with 10 home runs, 29 hits and 64 total bases. The Yankees! Predicting award candidates for all 30 teams. This Cleveland right-hander has been dominant from the start of the shortened season, topping MLB … If Alonso can hit that many again, and maybe cut down on his 26.4% strikeout rate, he could be the best player on a surprise division winner. Very badly. Eric Gay/Associated Press. play. Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Manager of the Year, and Rookie of the Year were included in this … It still feels strange, though, doesn’t it? Leitch: Well, then I might as well hedge my bets and get the other superstar outfielder for the Dodgers. The award could go to any of the three players, but Abreu might have the slight edge. MLB 2020 predictions: Dodgers are World Series favorites for shortened season ... After getting tabled for nearly four months, Major League Baseball's 2020 … Petriello: I know. Leitch: I can’t let him slip any farther than this. Each of the last three days has seen victors crowned in the Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year and Cy Young categories. In his 14 career MLB starts, his strikeout rate would rank third and his xFIP (a better predictor of ERA than ERA itself; 2.81) would rank fifth in baseball among starters in the 2020 … Petriello: Imagine me picking literally anyone other than Mike Trout, the defending American... 2) Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Braves. He’s only 26, has hit at least 32 homers in each of the past three seasons and does it while playing an excellent defensive shortstop. 2020 MLB predictions: CBS Sports staff picks for divisions, World Series, MVP, Cy Young awards and more The 60-game baseball season opens on … At the risk of underestimating the Brewers once again, I’m a little wary of this club, because it lost Mike Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal and Eric Thames. Mike Trout hitting against the Oakland Athletics. Way-too-early 2020 MLB awards predictions. The Ringer’s 2021 MLB Predictions Our picks for MVP, Cy Young, World Series, and even which teams could disappoint in the new season By The Ringer Staff Apr 1, 2021, 6:15am EDT Will Jose Ramirez be selected as the first Cleveland Indian to win the AL MVP since Al Rosen in 1953? Leitch: If you were doing a next-in-line sort of pick were Trout to fall off (or, more likely, suffer an injury), you could do a lot worse than Chapman. Super Nintendo World Reportedly Delayed Until 2025. Just as an unusually large number of down-to-the-wire pennant races could be in store, so too could the battle for MVP last until the very end. Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals this offseason after a solid 2020 season. I think the Chicago White Sox are going to be legit this year. Petriello: There was a non-zero chance that I was going to get through all 20 picks without picking an Astro. *-wild card Ken Davidoff AL East YankeesBlue Jays*RaysRed SoxOrioles … But if any of my fellow colleagues refuse to vote for Bregman simply because of the scandal, it’ll be clear that the scourge of moralistic Hall of Fame voting will have invaded the yearly awards in a way that augurs ghastly things down the line. Why he’s here: Let’s start with the easiest award to hand out. By David Kaestle | Jul 17, 2020, 12:22 PM EDT. If the Dodger guys split the vote, and if Soto helps pull a post-Rendon/Harper Nats lineup back to October, he’s going to collect some serious support. Reading Time: 4min read 0. MLB . If Cole has the Peak Cole season that we think he could, and he lives up to all the expectations that the massive contract brings with it, all while the Yankees' rotation is collapsing around him … well, I’m not saying it’s likely, but it’s possible. If the Red Sox do end up on the upside of that coin flip, Devers could be the guy who gets all the credit. -- I’m very optimistic about the Mets in 2020. MORE: MLB playoff bubbles, explained: A complete guide But in 2020, the 60-game sample isn’t a sample at all. Baseball's awards season began on Tuesday with the unveiling of the 2020 Gold Glove winners. All stats obtained via Baseball Reference, unless otherwise noted. Early 2020 MLB Season Betting Predictions. I find the “the Dodgers are going to win 105-plus games no matter what, so how much credit can you give Betts?” argument somewhat compelling. MLB Award Predictions: Who's Going to Win MVP and Cy Young? If they do it again, and Donaldson keeps playing like he pretty much always does when he’s healthy, he’s going to get some votes. Bleacher Report | 11-04. However, the marquee hardware is still a week or so away, culminating with the announcement of the MVP Award winners in both leagues on Thursday, Nov. 12. Cy Young Predictions AL Cy Young: Shane Bieber. If you like this post, please feel free to subscribe to the Sports Teller website for daily/weekly post updates! In his free-agent walk year. For example, Mookie Betts is +350 to win the 2020 NL MVP at MyBookie, which is not nearly as enticing as his +600 price tag at BetOnline. ... making an impact against the rest of the league for the 23-year-old superstar and he’ll win an AL MVP or two in his career. It came as no surprise that Corey Seager unanimously won the 2020 … Now, baseball fans will wait to see which of MLB's brightest will capture the MVP in their respective leagues. Petriello has the first pick this time around. Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, MVP. As previously mentioned, Ramirez tied with Freeman atop the fWAR leaderboard, per FanGraphs. The MLB season finally ready to get underway next Thursday, with a much-anticipated game between Garret Cole and the New York Yankees and Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals in DC. MLB MVP Predictions: Can Mookie Betts Make History? MLB. Belichick and The Patriots Come Out Swinging in 2021 Offseason. MLB awards picks, predictions for 2020 MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year. 2021 MLB Predictions: MVP MORE: MLB playoff bubbles, explained: A complete guide But in 2020, the 60-game sample isn’t a sample at all. It’s official. (And he is: Since 2014, he’s been basically the fifth-best player [tied] in baseball, even accounting for an injury-shortened 2015.) The NL and AL Cy Young voting was announced Wednesday, with Cincinnati Reds right-hander Trevor Bauer becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to win the award and Cleveland Indians ace Shane Bieber taking home honors by way of a unanimous vote. Leitch: Dingers! Another thing I find compelling is that the second-best player in baseball over the past five years is now playing for a team that’s probably going to win its division by 20 games. We’ll go over the basics, the division winners, playoff predictions, and who will win the major awards when all is said and done. Petriello: Let’s be honest here; I’m going with Rendon only partially because he is a truly elite baseball player. Happ, and … I don’t even know. You should probably show some respect by leaving number two blank, really. 2020 MLB predictions: CBS Sports staff picks for divisions, World Series, MVP, Cy Young awards and more The 60-game baseball season opens on … With all due respect to Machado, this award probably comes down to Betts and Freeman. If he drags this group into the postseason, that’s the kind of thing MVP Awards are made from. Instead, I’m going to dream on the potential of Ohtani doing something like “450 star-level plate appearances and 100 star-level innings pitched,” forcing voters to consider just how insane it is to do either of those things, much less both at the same time. Ricky Dimon See Bio Ricky Dimon @Dimonator133 . Similar to the Blue Jays, the Padres have a very young roster and look as if they are going to improve upon their strong showing from 2020. Mookie Betts is in the National League now. Ramirez slashed .366/.453/.841 with 10 homers in the month, finishing the year with 17 homers, 10 stolen bases and a .993 OPS. Las Vegas, NV (April 2, 2021) – After a … As such, the race for the league’s most prestigious awards are unlike any we’ve seen, in at least recent memory. MLB MVP Predictions: Can Mookie Betts Make History? Heck, this might even be a better bet, considering Bellinger is still only 24 years old and (theoretically anyway) could be getting even better. Lindor is a top five player with an off the charts “fun level.” Good enough for me. AL Cy Young. The 2020 MLB Awards will reach a conclusion on Thursday with the announcement of the Most Valuable Player Award winners in both the National League and American League. Allowing for the fact all that did, in fact, end up happening (and how! Defending champion Dodgers open as favorites to repeat, Betts NL MVP frontrunner. Alonso hit 53 last season, and while some doubt he can repeat that performance -- he’s not even on the first page of the Statcast average exit velocity leaderboard! And yet I’m trying to pretend I think the way a voter might, and consider this: The Yankees' rotation, right now, with Luis Severino out for the year and James Paxton out for months and Domingo Germán suspended, is Cole, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. But if he manages to cut down on some of those defensive mistakes, and keeps up the incomparable highlights-per-play quotient -- I’m not sure there’s a more must-watch for entertainment purposes player in the game today, and that includes Trout or Lindor -- while still offering an above-average bat at 21 years old, we might not be talking about “winning the MVP.” We might be talking about “how many more is he going to win.”. He has been in the top seven in voting each of the past two seasons and he’s the linchpin for a contending club, one that could get considerable national pop by unseating those hated Astros in the AL West. Yes, it’s true that his .410 BABIP was the highest, in, uh, nearly an entire century, and probably won’t be repeated. The Bronx Bombers, who desperately needed his versatility given the number of injuries they sustained subscribe the! You don ’ t come mlb mvp predictions 2020 to repeating that in the NL and AL MVP.. 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