MLB MVP 2026 Odds and Predictions for Yordan Alvarez, Pete Crow-Armstrong, More

The 2026 MLB playoffs ended on October 29, when the Milwaukee Brewers finished off the Tampa Bay Rays in a five-game World Series to claim the title. This week, Major League Baseball will reflect on the season that was, handing out awards to the biggest stars of the year.

The first awards were handed out on Saturday, and the week will culminate with the announcement of the AL and NL MVPs on Thursday, November 12.

Updates and award winners can be found at MLB.com throughout the week.

Here, we'll examine the MVP races, the top finalists, and why Yordan Alvarez and Pete Crow-Armstrong have been heavy favorites since the end of the regular season.

FanDuel has since removed its MVP odds, but we'll also look at the odds from the end of the season.

Yordan Alvarez, DH, Houston Astros -20000 (bet $20,000 to win $100)

Junior Caminero, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays +1200 (bet $100 to win $1,200

Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Chicago Cubs -1500

Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Los Angeles Dodgers +750

Finalists per MLB.com . Odds from FanDuel (h/t Fox Sports ) as of September 19

One thing we know for certain is that the American League will have a new MVP in 2026. Two-time defending champion Aaron Judge has reigned over the past two seasons, but the New York Yankees star battled injuries throughout the year and fell out of the mix.

Bobby Witt, who was an AL MVP finalist in 2024, wasn't as impressive as he was a couple of years ago. However, the Kansas City Royals standout played strong defense while logging 157 hits, 54 RBI, 18 home runs, and a .281 batting average.

However, Witt didn't impress enough to be considered a betting favorite at the end of the season. Neither did Junior Caminero, though the Tampa Bay Rays infielder was at least on the board.

Caminero played all 162 regular-season games and finished with 170 hits, 101 RBI, and 42 home runs. He was also solid in Tampa's run to the World Series, though the MVP is supposed to be a regular-season award.

Of course, there's no real mystery in the AL race. Yordan Alvarez has been the star of the show and was a very heavy favorite before the end of the regular season.

The Houston Astros' star DH was simply fantastic from the beginning of the year to the end. He finished as the league-leader in batting average (.316), on-base percentage (.432), slugging percentage (.601), and total bases (341). He also hit 106 RBI and 42 home runs.

Things aren't quite as settled in the National League, and there's at least a chance we could see a repeat MVP.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had an unexpected slump in the postseason but largely impressed during the regular season. Injuries limited the four-time MVP to 14 starts as a pitcher, but he notched eight wins with a 1.79 ERA.

As a batter, Ohtani delivered 144 hits, 30 home runs, and 81 RBI while batting .275 and stealing 11 bases. The 32-year-old has won three straight MVPs and is in the mix for a fourth.

Brice Turang is a first-time finalist and a true dark horse, but the Brewers' second baseman deserves recognition. He played elite defense during Milwaukee's championship run, and he delivered 21 home runs, 100 RBIs, 19 steals, and an .816 OPS.

While Pete Crow-Armstrong isn't as heavy of a favorite as Alvarez, though, he's still quite likely to be crowned MVP. The Chicago Cubs outfielder was sensational throughout the season.

Crow-Armstrong racked up 45 home runs and 41 stolen bases, making him just the seventh member of the fabled 40-40 club. He added 175 hits and 107 RBI while batting .280 and playing excellent Gold Glove defense at center field. He played an unquestionably large role in putting Chicago in the postseason.

"It's about as raw and straightforward as it gets," shortstop Dansby Swanson said, per ESPN's Jesse Rodgers . "With him and without him, what would we be?"

Ohtani's two-way prowess could allow him to earn the upset, but the prediction here is that PCA will be your 2026 NL MVP.