Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts Picked as Top NL MVP Contenders
Freddie Freeman is among the favorites for the National League Most Valuable Player award, trailing only former teammate Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, according to Vegas Insider. Freeman is in the top three of the NL in hits, doubles, slugging and OPS. His .331 batting average is tied for third-best in all of baseball, and he’s hit 10 home runs to boot. Acuña Jr. is also sporting a .331 average, and leads the NL in OPS and runs scored.
By Vegas Insider’s standings, Acuña Jr. is barely above even betting odds for the award, coming out at +110 on many sportsbooks.
Freddie Freeman is unbelievably good at baseball ?? @Dodgerspic.twitter.com/V6JA3z8BTO
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 31, 2023
Another Dodger has been named as an MVP candidate due to his versatility and scoring prowess. Mookie Betts, who won the American League MVP in 2018, is currently valued as the third-highest favorite for the NL MVP. With 45 runs scored, 15 home runs and a .532 slugging percentage, Betts continues to produce at an elite level.
“They’re superstars,” Roberts said. “Every time they get up to the bat they can change the game.”
Via SportsNet LA
Betts, who has won six Gold Glove awards for his play in right field, has had great success this season at the shortstop position — so much so that the switch might be made permanent.
“It looked right. I thought he looked comfortable, confident, made the plays he needed to. Gave the other guys an option to get in there, which I liked, and was kind of the genesis of it,” Roberts said after Betts’ first start at shortstop.
Betts, who played shortstop in 14 minor league games, said that playing shortstop for the Dodgers was “like a dream come true.”
“The more you see him, the more he amazes you,” Roberts said.
With Acuña Jr. having potentially unprecedented success (he’s on track for the first 30-homer, 60-stolen base season in the history of the sport) in his second year after a devastating torn ACL, the competition for the MVP will be stiff. However, multiple Dodgers are making their case and will have all season to continue closing the gap.
