MLB futures: 2 MVP bets to target based on latest straw poll

MLB.com released its latest MVP straw poll earlier this week, with 43 voters ranking their AL and NL choices from 1-5. These expert opinions are a good indication of how the MVP voters are thinking about their ballots early on in the season, so let's use this information to place a few MVP bets where the results disagree with the betting market. 

AL MVP: Kyle Tucker (+750 DraftKings)

Kyle Tucker has been absolutely on fire to start the season. Through 49 games played, the Houston Astros slugger leads MLB in home runs (17), ranks second in OPS (1.060) and ranks ninth in RBIs (36). He's also tied with Mookie Betts for the highest WAR (3.5) in the league, which is the most important stat to take into account for the MVP award. 

Tucker is the fifth choice on the AL MVP odds board at +750 because the Astros are only 22-28 and five games back of the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. In a way, that just proves how valuable Tucker has been. His league-leading WAR is even more impressive than Betts's on the 33-19 Los Angeles Dodgers. That's how MLB writers feel, at least, because Tucker ranked second behind only Juan Soto in the straw poll. Soto received 28 first-place votes, Tucker received six and no other player received more than two. 

The Astros are 7-3 in their last 10 games, so they're starting to trend in the right direction. If Houston can keep this run going and catch up to the Mariners, Tucker's price is only going to drop.