Where Rafael Devers stands in 2022 AL MVP race

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Rafael Devers has put himself firmly in the American League MVP conversation with his strong start to the 2022 season.

The Boston Red Sox slugger was a bright spot during the team's early-season struggles and has been key to their recent turnaround. Through 18 games in May, Devers is slashing .392/.430/.770 with six homers, eight doubles, and 15 RBI. With those numbers, his odds to take home the 2022 AL MVP award have greatly improved.

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So, how does Devers stack up against the competition in the AL MVP race? Here are the top 10 favorites as of Tuesday, per PointsBet Sportsbook.

1. Shohei Ohtani, P/DH, Los Angeles Angels

Odds: +240

Stats: .259/.315/.465, 9 HR, 28 RBI; 3-2, 2.82 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

It's no surprise to see Ohtani as the favorite to win the award for the second consecutive season. He hasn't been as dominant at the plate, however, which will give the rest of the players on this list a chance to overtake him if it keeps up.

2. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Odds: +400

Stats: .323/.434/.699, 12 HR, 26 RBI

Baseball is better with a healthy Mike Trout in it. The three-time MVP has a real chance to win his fourth if he can maintain this torrid pace.

3. Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees

Odds: +400

Stats: .325/.398/.715, 17 HR, 34 RBI

Is this the year Judge wins his first MVP award? Judging by his 17 homers and ridiculous .725 slugging percentage, he'll have a very good shot.

4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays

Odds: +1400

Stats: .257/.349/.426, 7 HR, 21 RBI

Guerrero was runner-up for the AL MVP award last season and has a chance to overtake Ohtani for it this time around. He'll have to pick up the pace though, because other candidates like Judge and Trout are off to scorching-hot starts.

5. Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Guardians

Odds: +1600

Stats: .287/.383/.601, 10 HR, 41 RBI

Ramirez has been a run producing machine for the Guardians this season. He's finished top-three in MVP voting three times in his career. Will he finally come out on top in 2022?

6. Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins

Odds: +1800

Stats: .219/.303/.581, 11 HR, 21 RBI

Buxton is one of the most fun players to watch when he's healthy. Unfortunately, that hasn't been all that often. He'll have a shot at the MVP award if he can stay on the field, but durability has been an issue throughout his career.

7. Yordan Alvarez, OF/DH, Houston Astros

Odds: +3000

Stats: .250/.355/.568, 12 HR, 24 RBI

The 2019 Rookie of the Year flat-out rakes. It isn't easy to win the MVP award as a DH, but Alvarez certainly has as good of a chance as anyone.

8. Wander Franco, SS, Tampa Bay Rays

Odds: +3000

Stats: .261/.290/.412, 4 HR, 16 RBI

The second-year Rays star is supremely talented and was picked by many to be this year's MVP. However, injuries have been an issue as of late and could severely hurt his chances.

9. Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox

Odds: +3500

Stats: .285/.319/.438, 6 HR, 17 RBI

Robert has been outstanding for the White Sox so far this season, but he's expected to miss at least the next two series on the COVID-IL. That missed time could hurt his MVP odds in the next couple of weeks.

10. Rafael Devers, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Odds: +4000

Stats: .335/.365/.594, 9 HR, 24 RBI

Those odds are incredible value for Devers, who currently leads the AL in hits (57) and doubles (15). The only players he trails on this list in OPS are Trout, Judge, and Ramirez. If he can stay hot, he'll be in the top five on this list in no time.

 

 

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