New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers during an intrasquad game in baseball summer training camp Sunday, July 12, 2020, at Yankee Stadium in New York. Cole is the favorite to win the Cy young, but Mark Eckel thinks there's better value elsewhere.Kathy Willens | Associated Press

MLB Bets: Mark Eckel has odds and picks for MVP, Cy Young, and Manager of the Year

If you’re looking to make a few long-term MLB bets on award winners maybe you shouldn’t go with the favorite.

Who knows what will happen in a 60-game MLB season? Hopefully we will have a chance to find out.

One thing is certain, it’s going to be different. So, if you’re looking to make a few long-term bets on award winners maybe you shouldn’t go with the favorite.

Let’s take a look at the Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winners in each league and some odds. We’ll throw in the manager of the year too as an added bonus.

National League MVP

Favorite: Christian Yelich, Milwaukee (7-1)

My Pick(s): Cory Bellinger, Los Angeles (8-1); Ronald Acuna, Atlanta (9-1)

Thoughts: Yelich is really good, but the Brewers aren’t. It’s hard to pick a MVP from a sub .500 team. So let’s pick the best player on the two best teams in the league.

American League MVP

Favorite: Mike Trout, Los Angels (2-1)

My Pick(s): Gleyber Torres, New York (20-1), Gerrit Cole, New York (50-1)

Thoughts: It’s hard to bet against Trout. But it’s even harder to bet a guy at 2-1, especially since he seems very concerned about his wife and baby on the way. Torres is going to have a big year for a team that is going to win a lot of games. A pitcher probably won’t win MVP, but at 50-1 Cole might be worth a buck, or two.

National League Cy Young

Favorite: Jacob deGrom, New York (7-2)

My Pick(s): Walker Buehler, Los Angeles (8-1); Stephen Strasburg, Washington (12-1); Luis Castillo, Cincinnati (18-1).

Thoughts: deGrom is not going to win it again. Buehler could. And the odds on Strasburg and Castillo are too good to overlook.

American League Cy Young

Favorite: Gerrit Cole, New York (5-2)

My Pick(s): Jose Berrios, Minnesota (20-1); Shane Bieber, Cleveland (8-1); Lucas Giolito, Chicago (18-1)

Thoughts: Cole isn’t a bad bet. But if you’re looking for better value look to the AL Central.

National League Manager of the Year

My Pick: David Bell, Cincinnati

Thoughts: If you can find odds on this, bet Bell. He’s going to get the Reds back in the postseason after a seven-year drought.

American League Manager of the Year

My Pick: Joe Maddon, Los Angeles

Thoughts: Why not go with the best in the game?

CyYoung

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