The first two games of the 2021 World Series are in the bag as the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros sit at a 1-1 tie. While the series may be far from over, that hasn’t stopped fans and experts alike from discussing who could be named this year’s World Series MVP.
There are a lot of worthy candidates on both of the competing teams, however, only one player can walk away with the honor. While a lot can change from now until the last game of the series, BetOnline is currently favoring Astros outfielder Michael Brantley to be named 2021 World Series MVP at +600 odds.
Brantley has been a standout in his three seasons with the Astros, making the MLB All-Star Game twice during that span. He was also great for Houston before the club even made it to the 2021 World Series, recording 14 hits and 8 RBIs in the Astros’ first 10 postseason games.
Fortunately, Brantley has taken his game to another level against the Braves. While it’s a small sample size, the 34-year-old veteran has already tallied five hits (two being doubles) in his first nine at-bats, recording an RBI while slashing .556/.556/.778. Again, anything can change with at least three more games to play, but Brantley has proven to be one of the most clutch Astros players. He already has one less total base than he did in four more games last round and it looks like that number will climb if the Braves can’t figure out a way to ice his bat.
If Brantley continues playing this way, it’d be hard not to name him World Series MVP if the Astros are victorious at the end.
2021 World Series MVP Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Friday, October 29
- Michael Brantley (+600)
- Jose Altuve (+650)
- Freddie Freeman (+1000)
- Kyle Tucker (+1000)
- Eddie Rosario (+1100)
- Yordan Alvarez (+1200)
- Jorge Soler (+1200)
- Carlos Correa (+1400)
- Ozzie Albies (+1600)
- Yuli Gurriel (+1600)
- Adam Duvall (+1600)
The complete odds list is available at BetOnline.ag.
Altuve Owns Second-Best MVP Odds
Second baseman Jose Altuve — and Brantley’s teammate — has the second-best odds (+650) to be named World Series MVP. This isn’t the veteran’s first time playing in baseball’s biggest series, having already been there in two of the previous four seasons. However, he’s never been named the Most Valuable Player.
While he has the second-best odds to win, Altuve needs to start being a bit more productive in the batter’s box. He has just two hits in 10 at-bats against the Braves, recording a home run and an RBI. He’s also struck out four times — one more than he was in six games against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. Altuve’s a great player and will likely be a difference-maker in some games, however, he’s going to need to begin playing more like the guy who won two American League MVPs about five years ago.
World Series MVP Odds: Freeman Leads Braves
First baseman Freddie Freeman owns the best odds of all Braves players (+1000) to be named 2021 World Series MVP, according to BetOnline. The 2020 National League MVP has been having a decent start to the series, recording two hits and a pair of RBIs in his first seven at-bats while slashing .286/.333/.286.
As the face of the Braves, it’ll be Freeman’s job to help his team bounce back from the 7-2 loss in Game 2. Baseball’s best players always rise up when needed and that needs to be the case for Freeman in Game 3 if he wants to take a major leap forward in the World Series MVP race.
