Ben Rice Is Putting Up MVP Numbers, and Aaron Judge Fans Aren't Ready for It

Alright, you know how we roll here in Seattle. We live and breathe sports, and sometimes that means looking beyond just the daily grind to find the real talk in the wider league. With the MLB season getting spicy, if you're looking for serious value, some futures bets out there could pay off HUGE by the fall. Lock in some sweet prices before the entire league catches on.

LA's Dominance Can't Be Ignored

Look, I get it, we don't cheer for the Dodgers out here in the Emerald City. But you can't deny what they're doing. Seriously, nobody in the National League even comes close, despite an early-season wobble. Remember that 13-game stretch in late April and early May where they lost nine games? Yep, still happened. And guess what? They still lead their division and boast the second-best record in the entire NL. Their pitching staff is practically unhittable: second in NL ERA, leading in WHIP, second-lowest OBA, and fourth-fewest home runs given up. Offensively? Just as scary, with the best OPS, second-best batting average, and second-most home runs. You can still grab them at +100 to win the NL, but honestly, that plus money might vanish faster than a Seattle summer day. If you're thinking about it, now's the time.

AL MVP Dark Horse: Ben Rice's Shocking Numbers

Okay, let's talk American League MVP, because it's a total sleeper. Everyone remembers Aaron Judge's monstrous season last year, right? He hit 53 homers, slugged .688, had a .331 batting average, .457 OBP, and an absurd 1.145 OPS. He was the *man*. But this season? So far, he's looking more like a power bat, less like that complete package. That's where Ben Rice comes in. He's tied with Judge for second in the AL with 16 home runs, impressive enough. But get this: Rice actually *leads* the American League in both slugging percentage and OPS. Yeah, you read that right. It's early, and Judge could turn it on, but if Rice keeps this up, you'll kick yourself if you don't lock him in now at +1900. That's a huge return for a steal of a performance.

The Manager of the Year Underdog Story We Need

Finally, let's look at the AL Manager of the Year. A lot of folks are probably eyeing Rays manager Kevin Cash. His team is leading the AL East and beating the Yankees is always a good look. He's got a strong case, no doubt. But hear me out: I think voters should, and will, recognize Will Venable. He's in his second year managing the White Sox, a perennial doormat, and he's got them at 25-24, looking at a potential wild card spot. Taking a team like *that* and making them competitive? That's a way bigger accomplishment. Sure, the White Sox's season could easily go south, but if you believe Venable has truly flipped the script, grab him at +460 before those odds shrink to nothing. This is the kind of underdog story that gets you pumped, you know? So there you have it, folks. Three serious long-shot bets that could make for a very interesting fall. We're still early in the season, and anything can happen. But these are the kind of values that make watching the league so much more exciting, even when it's not our boys out on T-Mobile Park's field. Keep your eyes on these teams and players. Who knows, maybe one of these dark horses makes you look like a genius.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.