The early MLB season has seen nice performances, however there aren’t many clear favorites for the MVP and Cy Younger Awards but. These are the highest contenders as of July 8 from FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Decide gained his first MVP Award in 2022 after hitting 62 house runs, and he is on an identical tempo this season. The Yankees famous person has confirmed his toe harm from final yr is previous him, main the league in house runs, doubles, walks, on-base, and slugging by 65 video games performed whereas enjoying a serviceable heart discipline.
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The Royals are again in competition this season, and Witt is a giant cause. The younger shortstop leads the AL in hits (83), runs (56), and batting common (.323) by 64 video games performed whereas additionally launching 11 house runs and swiping 19 bases.
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Soto is profiting from his stroll yr with a superb begin to his season. The brand new Yankee hit .318-17-53 with a 1.027 OPS earlier than being sidelined in early June with elbow soreness. The harm is not thought of a significant concern however value watching.
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Henderson was glorious for Baltimore final season after a sluggish begin to win AL Rookie of the Yr, and he is constructed on his efficiency early this yr. He is hitting .264-19-42 with a .940 OPS by 62 video games performed, and can also be enjoying glorious protection at shortstop.
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A budding star, Tucker completed fifth within the AL MVP voting final season and has an awesome likelihood to surpass that this yr. The precise fielder hit .266-19-40 with 10 stolen bases and a .979 OPS earlier than happening the IL with a bruised leg.
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The center and soul of the Guardians has helped revitalize their offense this season, hitting .273-17-60 with an .879 OPS. He is effectively on tempo to set a profession excessive in house runs and RBI.
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Betts completed second to Ronald Acuna Jr. within the NL MVP vote final season, however is hoping to win MVP for the second time in his profession in 2024. The complete-time transfer to shortstop may assist his trigger, and the offensive numbers look nice once more hitting .312-10-35 with 9 steals and a .924 OPS in 64 video games.
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After overcoming elbow surgical procedure final yr, Harper’s energy is totally again. The primary baseman is hitting .268-14-44 with an .890 OPS in 58 video games for the crew with the very best document within the NL.
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Ohtani is just in a position to hit this yr as he recovers from elbow surgical procedure, however the bat alone is placing him in MVP competition. The 2-time AL MVP is hitting .312-15-40 with 14 stolen bases and a .955 OPS in 62 video games.
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The stunning Brewers are constructed on their nice offense, and Contreras is a giant cause for his or her success. The catcher is following up final yr’s breakout marketing campaign to hit .311-8-46 with an .859 OPS by 63 video games.
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Whereas a number of of Atlanta’s normally potent bats have struggled early this season, Ozuna has been on hearth. The DH leads the NL in house runs (18), RBI (55), slugging (.618), and OPS (1.008) by 61 video games performed.
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The Padres misplaced Xander Bogaerts to harm whereas Manny Machado has struggled, however Tatis is rebounding on the plate. He is began the season hitting .282-11-33 with an .815 OPS by 67 video games performed.
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Skubal pitched like an ace after coming back from elbow surgical procedure final season, and the lefty has been even higher this yr. He is 7-1 with a 1.97 ERA and 0.88 WHIP by 12 begins, with an excellent 6.62 Okay/BB ratio.
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Burnes confirmed some regression in Milwaukee final season, however the 2021 NL Cy Younger winner is again on observe with Baltimore. He is began 6-2 with a 2.26 ERA and 1.02 WHIP by 13 begins.
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The breakout season for Houck has put him firmly within the Cy Younger image. He is 6-5 with a 1.91 ERA and 0.92 WHIP by 13 begins, main the league in innings with the assistance of his 1.6 walks per 9 innings.
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Castillo completed fifth within the AL Cy Younger voting final yr, and has an opportunity to ascend additional this yr. He is began the yr 5-6 with a 2.99 ERA in 13 begins, fanning 81 batters in 78.1 innings.
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Ragans took the league by storm late final season after he was traded from Texas to Kansas Metropolis, and he continues to dominate. The lefty is 4-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 11 strikeouts per 9 innings over 73 innings.
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Previously a Cy Younger candidate for the Cardinals, Flaherty has regained his well being and velocity in Detroit after a number of years of struggles. He is began the season simply 3-4, however the right-hander has a 3.22 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and an unbelievable 9.40 Okay/BB ratio in 12 begins.
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Wheeler completed second within the NL Cy Younger vote in 2021 and sixth final yr, however he is the clear favourite in early June. The precise-hander is 7-3 with a 2.23 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 80.2 innings.
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Glasnow lengthy confirmed Cy Younger potential in Tampa Bay, however was by no means in a position to keep wholesome. The Dodgers are seeing what a wholesome Glasnow can achieve this far this season, with a 2.93 ERA and a league-high 104 strikeouts in 80 innings.
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NL Cy Younger: Max Fried, Braves (+1100)
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After a sluggish begin, Fried is off an operating for the Braves. The pending free agent is 6-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 12 begins, together with two full video games.
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Suarez has emerged as a shock ace for the Phillies pitching employees early this season. The lefty began the season 9-1 with a 1.70 ERA and 0.80 WHIP by 12 begins.
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NL Cy Younger: Aaron Nola, Phillies (+1400)
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Nola re-signed with the Phillies throughout the offseason and is eying a profession yr. He is 8-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 begins, displaying elite management once more.
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Imanaga is the favourite to win the NL Rookie of the Yr and likewise within the Cy Younger image for the Cubs. He is began 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, whereas posting a 6.50 Okay/BB ratio in 62.1 innings.
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Sale completed within the prime six in AL Cy Younger voting in seven consecutive seasons from 2012-2018, however was by no means in a position to carry house the {hardware}. After a number of injury-plagued seasons in Boston, he seems again on observe with an 8-2 document, 3.01 ERA, and NL-best 8.36 Okay/BB ratio in 74.2 innings.
Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports activities knowledgeable based mostly in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Professional’s League, and his work has appeared in a whole lot of fantasy baseball and fantasy soccer newsstand and on-line publications. He’s a College of Missouri alum and long-suffering turned spoiled Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan. Seth would not usually Tweet, however when he does, you will discover him on Twitter/X @sethroto.