Joey Gallo Among Top 5 AL MVP Odds Leaders Despite Leading League in Strikeouts

• Mike Trout of the Angels continues to lead the AL MVP odds at +125
• Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco is having a career year with a .338 batting average
• Michael Brantley (+1000) and Alex Bregman’s (+1200) odds should improve with injuries to George Springer and Joey Gallo

Two months into the Major League Baseball season some early favorites have emerged to win the American League MVP Award. Among them is Joey Gallo, the Texas Rangers outfielder who is hitting .276 with 17 home runs and 41 RBI while leading the American League in slugging (.653) and OPS (1.074).

Gallo’s AL MVP odds now sit at +1000 across a number of top sportsbooks.

2019 American League MVP Odds

*Odds taken 06/03/19

Unfortunately Gallo strained his oblique on Saturday and, like Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, could be out for a while. Gallo contacted Judge to learn how he should rehab his injury and minimize his time out of the lineup.

Joey Gallo has been placed on the 10-day IL with a left oblique strain. OF Delino DeShields recalled from Nashville.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) June 2, 2019

Trout Still the Favorite to Win AL MVP

Mike Trout of the Angels still has the best odds at +125, followed by Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco at +500. Trout is first in the AL in walks, but is only fourth in in slugging and third in OPS. Gallo, meanwhile,  is first in both categories.

Three hits. Two runs batted in. Just another day at the office for @MikeTrout. #CarryTheFreight pic.twitter.com/iRwEBUs1vC

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 3, 2019

Jorge Polanco Could Give Trout a Run for His Money

Jorge Polanco’s season reflects the good fortunes the Twins have had as they lead the AL Central and have been one of the best teams in baseball so far this season.

We’ve reached 40 wins faster than any season in franchise history. ?#TwinsWin pic.twitter.com/e2dPwMaMHj

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 2, 2019

Polanco has a .338 batting average, nine home runs,  30 RBIs and an OBP of .405.

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— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) May 31, 2019

Austin Meadows Showing Promise

Austin Meadows started the season hot for the Tampa Bay Rays, spent time on the IL, and came back even better. He hit .369/.453/.708 with six home runs during May.

Austin Meadows hit .369/.453/.708 with six home runs during May.

Meadows had huge numbers in a 14-3 drubbing of the Minnesota Twins last week, driving in four runs that were a big part of that victory.

Meadows was acquired last season as part of the trade that sent pitcher Chris Archer to the Pirates. He has a huge upside and Tampa Bay could be the winner of that trade should he keep producing.

The Best Bet

Mike Trout continues to hold the best odds for AL MVP. His strikeout rate did go from 11.8% in April to 20.4% in May, but that doesn’t seem to have impacted his odds too much. Bet on Trout to win the AL MVP.

Pick: Mike Trout (+125)