Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani have been the two biggest superstars in modern-day baseball. Even last year, the Japanese sensation was part of the American League. Back then, there was a constant fight between the two superstars mentioned above for the AL MVP honors. The two-way superstar won the AL MVP twice (in 2021 and 2023). Hence, in his last year with the Los Angeles Angels in the AL, he finished it with the MVP title. On the other hand, the New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge broke the AL Home Run record in 2022. As a result, he was able to beat Shohei Ohtani to get the MVP honor that year.
Later, the Yankees extended his contract to a nine-year deal worth $360 million. In 2022, Judge was the biggest free agent. Later, in 2023, it was “Sho-Time.” Ohtani finished the season with the Angels, winning the MVP again. It was his second MVP title so far. Finally, the big news came in last offseason, that said the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Ohtani for a mammoth $700 million. It was worth it as he is again a top contender for MVP honors. But this year, he is just a hitter and in the National League.
Aaron Judge And Shohei Ohtani Dominating The League Once Again
It is still too early as the league just got over the All-Star break, but its Judge and Ohtani show again for the MVP contentions. Aaron Judge is a firm favorite to win the AL MVP this year as he leads the most home runs list with 34 so far. Then, Shohei Ohtani has been a revelation as a Designated Hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers in his first year with them. As per the BetMGM Sportsbook, Aaron Judge has a -350 betting odds to win the 2024 AL MVP. But he has got a few challengers to take care. Among them, Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles has a +240 odds. Then, some players have a long shot to win MVP award like Juan Soto of the Yankees with +1800 odds, Bobby Witt Jr. (+2000) of the Kansas City Royals and also Jose Ramirez with +5000 odds.
Coming to the National League, Shohei Ohtani has -375 odds. Then, among the top challengers there are Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies with +450. Some players in the NL with a long shot, some of them are Freddie Freeman of the LA Dodgers with +2000, Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks with +2500 and Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves with +2500 odds too. Anyway, until the Midsummer Classic, Judge and Ohtani have been miles ahead in the MVP race. However, there is still a long way to go with the second half of the season about to begin.
Both Superstars Looking For Their First World Series Win And Appearance
Despite being the best players of the league, both Judge and Ohtani have yet to win a World Series. They have not even appeared in one. Moreover, the last time Yankees won the “Big Dance” was in 2009. Since then, they have never made it to another World Series. On the other hand, before joining the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani was part of another Los Angeles side. With the Angels, he never got to make the playoffs even. But this year, things look good for the two superstars as their teams are top contenders to win the “Big Dance.”
The duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto is raising hopes for the Yankees Faithful. On the other hand, in 2024, Ohtani joined hands with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman at the Dodgers. They are really top contenders to win the National League this year. Hence, there can be a possible matchup between the Yankees and the Dodgers in the 2024 MLB World Series.
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