There are two weeks to go in the MLB season and there are still many questions to answer in the National League. As teams vie for the NL East and the final Wild Card spot, two names have continued to hold off the field for Most Valuable Player.
Bryce Harper MVP Odds (As of September 9, 2024)
- Last week, if you listened to Hall of Fame Sports Broadcaster & NJBetting writer, Dave Bontempo, you could have cashed in on Harper winning the MVP at +225.
- In his article titled, The Bryce Is Right: Bettors Look to Cash In On A Probable Harper MVP Award, Dave talked about how Bryce was too good of a player and too hot not to surpass the lesser, Tatis.
Dave also stated, “BRYCE HARPER IS THE MVP, WE’RE JUST WAITING TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL”
Despite the struggles for his team to make up ground against 100-loss teams, Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper has finally become the odds-on favorite to win his second MVP award, overtaking San Diego’s Fernando Tatis, Jr. Tatis has topped the futures market for most of the season but Harper’s incredible second-half play reeled in the Padres star.
Here are the numbers between the two entering September 21st:
| BA | HR | RBI | K/BB | OBP | SLG | OPS | WAR | |
| Harper | .311 | 33 | 80 | 118/89 | .427 | .620 | 1.047 | 5.3 |
| Tatis Jr | .285 | 39 | 92 | 132/57 | .368 | .620 | .988 | 6.3 |
Bryce Harper Daily Betting Odds (Real-Time List)
Yes, this could buck the trend of award recipients making the postseason. The last player to win MVP despite not playing October baseball was Giancarlo Stanton in 2017 when he was still on the Marlins. Harper won in 2015, the year the Nationals didn’t win the NL East (the Mets did and took the pennant).
Of course, Philly fans lament that Ryan Howard didn’t win MVP in 2008 when he led the NL with 48 homers, the last player to do that in the same season of winning the World Series since Mike Schmidt did it in 1980 (when he won MVP). Howard did win in 2006 (a year after winning Rookie of the Year) with his HR outburst, despite not making the postseason. Albert Pujols took his second MVP award in 2008, two years after he won the World Series with the Cardinals.
This race has tightened since the All-Star break. Harper has played every day and just been a nightmare to opposing pitchers. He enters the stretch run with 12 more games played (and he will likely not rest as long as the Phils stay in contention) and 18 more ABs. Despite hitting six more homers, Tatis has 11 fewer total bases.
The Face of MLB is Philly Tough
What really stands out is the OBP difference. Harper has 32 more walks and 14 fewer strikeouts. He’s doing so without much support in his lineup, as the offense hasn’t lived up to its collective potential and Rhys Hopkins has been relegated to cheering from the bench after a season-ending injury.
No matter what the Phillies do in their last 12 games, fans cannot say the highest-paid player didn’t earn every dime. He has been the leader in offensive effort and attitude.
For all the money he makes, it’s so refreshing to see him barreling for home with his hair bouncing like Pete Rose did decades ago.
Yes, winning the division will do a lot to help him, as it did Jimmy Rollins in 2007. However, if the Phillies don’t bring “Red October” back to South Philly, the MVP would be a
fair reward for his incredible season.
Otherwise, we could see a greater outcry from fans who are STILL mad a certain center was snubbed in the spring…
