Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is the favorite to win World Series MVP, and it’s not surprising to see Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte tied for the best odds among the Diamondbacks.
Here is a look at the top-five candidates to win World Series MVP, per BetMGM on October 25th.
- Corey Seager +500
- Adolis Garcia +600
- Corbin Carroll +950
- Ketel Marte +950
- Marcus Semien +1400
But let’s dig deeper, shall we? Here are three longshot picks that may represent some solid value to win World Series MVP.
Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (+2000 at DraftKings)
Yes, I’m aware that Gallen got roughed up by the Phillies and has an ERA of 5.24 in the playoffs. However, he was the Cy Young favorite for much of the season and is a legitimate ace.
Gallen is on track to start Game 1 of the World Series because he wasn’t needed in the finale against the Phillies. So he should get at least two starts in this series and then could be used in relief as well, the formula which won Randy Johnson a co-World Series MVP in 2001.
Is Gallen as good as the Big Unit? Of course not, but he had impressive numbers against the Rangers in the regular season. Gallen faced them twice and went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA, including 17 strikeouts and only one walk in 11 innings pitched.
A bounceback series from Gallen would put him in the MVP conversation, and at 20-to-1 it is a worthy price.
Diamondbacks C Gabriel Moreno (+2500 at BetMGM)
OK, yes, I like this. Moreno has been moved into the No. 3 spot in the lineup and seems likely to remain there for this series. He hits behind Carroll and Marte, a couple players who are excellent at getting on the bases.
Moreno is batting .279 with three home runs and nine RBIs this postseason, and a few well-timed hits could result in some impressive numbers by the end of the World Series. Moreno has a career batting average of .290 in 410 regular season at-bats, so he knows how to sting the ball.
Additionally, he is already a premium defensive catcher who gunned down multiple Phillies on the basepaths in the NLCS.
If he has some big plays at the plate and from behind it, Moreno could be right in the mix to win the World Series MVP.
Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (+7000 at FanDuel)
How much of a longshot is Pfaadt? He’s not even listed as a candidate at BetMGM or DraftKings. However, FanDuel has put up odds, and while it’s clearly a longshot pick, it’s an intriguing one.
Pfaadt hit another level against the Phillies, throwing 9.2 innings and allowing only six hits and two earned runs while striking out 16. Pfaadt is a top prospect who had a very up-and-down regular season, but has really come into his own the last three outings.
Here’s the issue with this bet: Pfaadt is only guaranteed one start, and Torey Lovullo has shown a penchant for pulling him after two times through the lineup. If that happens, it’s hard for him to rack up enough innings and the win, which will have an impact on the voting.
However, the Phillies had Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper at the top of their lineup, and maybe Lovullo feels differently about pitting Pfaadt against the Rangers’ best bats.
If he is allowed a longer leash, and if Pfaadt gets two starts in the World Series, he could just dazzle enough to be in the mix for World Series MVP.
World Series MVP Prediction
I honestly like all three of these wagers and may sprinkle a little something on each of them. My favorite, though, is Moreno, a burgeoning star who can affect the game on both offense and defense.
Longshot wager: Diamondbacks C Gabriel Moreno to win World Series MVP (+2500)
