Bobby Witt Jr. named among MLB MVP favorites as sportsbooks shift odds

Bobby Witt Jr. is still in the mix for MLB’s Most Valuable Player award as sportsbooks reshuffle futures odds against a potential Dodgers-Yankees World Series.

What happened?

Sportsbooks now favor Shohei Ohtani and Bobby Witt Jr. to win the 2026 American League MVP, per updated MLB futures markets. The shift comes as bookmakers downgrade the odds of a Los Angeles Dodgers-New York Yankees showdown in October. Both Ohtani and Witt are viewed as the league’s two most dangerous offensive forces this season.

Why it matters for Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt, the Kansas City Royals shortstop, leads all AL position players in Wins Above Replacement through mid-July. His 24 homers and 60 RBIs rank among the league’s best, while his 30 stolen bases pace the circuit. Sportsbooks now price him as the co-favorite for MVP alongside Ohtani, the Angels’ two-way star.

What comes next?

The Royals continue their push for a wild-card spot, with Witt anchoring a lineup that’s climbed into playoff contention. If Kansas City makes the postseason, his MVP case will hinge on October performance. The Dodgers-Yankees World Series fade also boosts the odds for any AL hitter who can carry a club deep into September.

How the odds changed

The latest MLB futures update dropped the chances of a Dodgers-Yankees Fall Classic from 22% to 18%. At the same time, Ohtani and Witt’s MVP odds each jumped to 25%, per multiple sportsbook sources. The shift reflects rising confidence in both stars to deliver down the stretch.