2021 World Series MVP Odds: Favorites, Longshots, and Predictions
The Atlanta Braves and the Houston Astros will begin the World Series on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park. Bettors looking to try their luck on the nearly impossible task of predicting the Most Valuable Player of the Fall Classic have some interesting angles to explore before the first pitch is thrown. Considering that we have predicted the Braves to win the World Series in six games, we will be exploring only Atlanta players in this article.
Let’s take a deeper look at the rosters to see where bettors can find value at sportsbooks in this series. For more betting tips, check out this MLB Betting Guide.
List of MLB World Series MVP Winners
- 2020: Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2019: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
- 2018: Steve Pearce, Boston Red Sox
- 2017: George Springer, Houston Astros
- 2016: Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs
- 2015: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals
- 2014: Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
- 2013: David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox
- 2012: Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants
- 2011: David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals
- 2010: Edgar Renteria, San Francisco Giants
- 2009: Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees
MLB World Series MVP 2021 Odds
- Freddie Freeman: +1100
- Max Fried: +1400
- Austin Riley: +1600
- Eddie Rosario: +1700
- Charlie Morton: +2000
- Ozzie Albies: +2000
- Adam Duvall: +2900
- Tyler Matzek: +3000
- Joc Pederson: +3200
- Jorge Soler: +3300
- Dansby Swanson: +4100
- Ian Anderson: +7000
- Will Smith: +12000
Freddie Freeman (+1100)
During the regular season, Freddie Freeman had a .949 OPS and a .217 ISO against right-handed pitching. Other than Framber Valdez, Freeman is likely to see almost exclusively right-handed pitching in this series—sub-par right-handed pitching. In October, Freeman has been red-hot, hitting three home runs and posting a 1.072 OPS in 34 at bats. He is unquestionably Atlanta’s most reliable option at the plate, and he has the star reputation to automatically include him in the conversation for this award if his numbers are amongst the best on the roster. Freeman is a must-bet if wagering on multiple players in this series.
Max Fried (+1400)
Max Fried has been nearly unhittable in 2021. After returning from an early season trip to the injured list, Fried posted a 2.44 ERA and a 3.09 FIP in his final 25 trips to the mound. Fried was roughed up in his most recent start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but had allowed only two earned runs across 12.0 innings in his first two outings this October. If this series goes at least six games, Fried should get an opportunity to earn two victories. His script for this series looks eerily similar to Stephen Strasburg in 2019, who won Games 2 and 6 for the Washington Nationals en route to earning the award.
Ozzie Albies (+2000)
If betting multiple players to win this accolade, it only makes sense to include a couple of hitters, considering that only two pitchers have won this award since 2009. Are you a believer in regression to the mean? Ozzie Albies has been abysmal this October, batting .262 with a dreadful .629 OPS. Yet, Albies has a career .802 OPS in the regular season and is due for some productive days at the plate. Steve Pearce, Ben Zobrist, Pablo Sandoval, and David Freese were all longshot winners of this award. In a small sample size, Albies could absolutely do what is necessary to take home some additional hardware.
Tyler Matzek (+3000)
A relief pitcher has not won a World Series MVP since Mariano Rivera in 1999, but Manager Brian Snitker could give Tyler Matzek an opportunity to pull off a rare accomplishment in this Fall Classic. Matzek has appeared in nine of Atlanta’s 10 postseason games this October. He is evidently Snitker’s most trusted relief option. If he appears in four games, in high leverage situations without giving up any significant damage, Matzek has a chance here. While unlikely, he could be worth a few dollars as a long-shot wager.
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