The early MLB season has seen great performances, but there aren't many clear favorites for the MVP and Cy Young Awards yet. These are the top contenders as of July 8 from FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Judge won his first MVP Award in 2022 after hitting 62 home runs, and he's on a similar pace this season. The Yankees superstar has proven his toe injury from last year is past him, leading the league in home runs, doubles, walks, on-base, and slugging through 65 games played while playing a serviceable center field.
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The Royals are back in contention this season, and Witt is a big reason. The young shortstop leads the AL in hits (83), runs (56), and batting average (.323) through 64 games played while also launching 11 home runs and swiping 19 bases.
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Soto is making the most of his walk year with an excellent start to his season. The new Yankee hit .318-17-53 with a 1.027 OPS before being sidelined in early June with elbow soreness. The injury isn't considered a major concern but worth watching.
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Henderson was excellent for Baltimore last season after a slow start to win AL Rookie of the Year, and he's built on his performance early this year. He's hitting .264-19-42 with a .940 OPS through 62 games played, and is also playing excellent defense at shortstop.
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A budding star, Tucker finished fifth in the AL MVP voting last season and has a great chance to surpass that this year. The right fielder hit .266-19-40 with 10 stolen bases and a .979 OPS before going on the IL with a bruised leg.
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The heart and soul of the Guardians has helped revitalize their offense this season, hitting .273-17-60 with an .879 OPS. He's well on pace to set a career high in home runs and RBI.
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Betts finished second to Ronald Acuna Jr. in the NL MVP vote last season, but is hoping to win MVP for the second time in his career in 2024. The full-time move to shortstop could help his cause, and the offensive numbers look great again hitting .312-10-35 with nine steals and a .924 OPS in 64 games.
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After overcoming elbow surgery last year, Harper's power is fully back. The first baseman is hitting .268-14-44 with an .890 OPS in 58 games for the team with the best record in the NL.
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Ohtani is only able to hit this year as he recovers from elbow surgery, but the bat alone is putting him in MVP contention. The two-time AL MVP is hitting .312-15-40 with 14 stolen bases and a .955 OPS in 62 games.
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The surprising Brewers are built on their great offense, and Contreras is a big reason for their success. The catcher is following up last year's breakout campaign to hit .311-8-46 with an .859 OPS through 63 games.
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While several of Atlanta's usually potent bats have struggled early this season, Ozuna has been on fire. The DH leads the NL in home runs (18), RBI (55), slugging (.618), and OPS (1.008) through 61 games played.
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The Padres lost Xander Bogaerts to injury while Manny Machado has struggled, but Tatis is rebounding at the plate. He's started the season hitting .282-11-33 with an .815 OPS through 67 games played.
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Skubal pitched like an ace after returning from elbow surgery last season, and the lefty has been even better this year. He's 7-1 with a 1.97 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through 12 starts, with an outstanding 6.62 K/BB ratio.
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Burnes showed some regression in Milwaukee last season, but the 2021 NL Cy Young winner is back on track with Baltimore. He's started 6-2 with a 2.26 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through 13 starts.
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The breakout season for Houck has put him firmly in the Cy Young picture. He's 6-5 with a 1.91 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through 13 starts, leading the league in innings with the help of his 1.6 walks per nine innings.
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Castillo finished fifth in the AL Cy Young voting last year, and has a chance to ascend further this year. He's started the year 5-6 with a 2.99 ERA in 13 starts, fanning 81 batters in 78.1 innings.
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Ragans took the league by storm late last season after he was traded from Texas to Kansas City, and he continues to dominate. The lefty is 4-4 with a 3.21 ERA and 11 strikeouts per nine innings over 73 innings.
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Formerly a Cy Young candidate for the Cardinals, Flaherty has regained his health and velocity in Detroit after multiple years of struggles. He's started the season just 3-4, but the right-hander has a 3.22 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and an incredible 9.40 K/BB ratio in 12 starts.
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Wheeler finished second in the NL Cy Young vote in 2021 and sixth last year, but he's the clear favorite in early June. The right-hander is 7-3 with a 2.23 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 80.2 innings.
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Glasnow long showed Cy Young potential in Tampa Bay, but was never able to stay healthy. The Dodgers are seeing what a healthy Glasnow can do so far this season, with a 2.93 ERA and a league-high 104 strikeouts in 80 innings.
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NL Cy Young: Max Fried, Braves (+1100)
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After a slow start, Fried is off an running for the Braves. The pending free agent is 6-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 12 starts, including two complete games.
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Suarez has emerged as a surprise ace for the Phillies pitching staff early this season. The lefty started the season 9-1 with a 1.70 ERA and 0.80 WHIP through 12 starts.
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NL Cy Young: Aaron Nola, Phillies (+1400)
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Nola re-signed with the Phillies during the offseason and is eying a career year. He's 8-2 with a 2.77 ERA in 13 starts, showing elite control again.
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Imanaga is the favorite to win the NL Rookie of the Year and also in the Cy Young picture for the Cubs. He's started 5-1 with a 1.88 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, while posting a 6.50 K/BB ratio in 62.1 innings.
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Sale finished in the top six in AL Cy Young voting in seven consecutive seasons from 2012-2018, but was never able to bring home the hardware. After a few injury-plagued seasons in Boston, he looks back on track with an 8-2 record, 3.01 ERA, and NL-best 8.36 K/BB ratio in 74.2 innings.