To nobody’s surprise, Shohei Ohtani is off to another hot start in 2026.
The four-time MVP winner is currently favored to win a fifth MVP award (and his fourth straight going back to 2023). Of course, it is still very early in the season, but Ohtani’s strong MVP odds are not just based on his past performances. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ superstar is once again establishing himself as one of the best players in the National League.
Ohtani’s .996 OPS ranked 11th in the NL entering play on Monday, April 13. His five home runs are tied for fourth in the league, and his .432 OBP ranks sixth. Ohtani is once again a top ten hitter in the NL, and he is on pace to hit 50 home runs for the third year in a row. He’s amassed 0.6 bWAR at the plate, which is an impressive value for a DH this early in the season.
Even if Ohtani were just a DH, those offensive numbers would have him in the mix for a Silver Slugger Award and a possible MVP. After all, he won the MVP in 2024 as a DH only.
But Ohtani is not just a DH. He’s also back to starting games, and so far, he’s looked like an ace.
Shohei Ohtani is Pitching Like an Ace Again
Last year, Ohtani started 14 games for the Dodgers, but only threw 47 innings, averaging less than four innings per start. Los Angeles clearly did not want to risk reinjuring their superstar before the postseason push.
This year, it appears the training wheels are off, and Ohtani has been given the reins to go deeper into games. In two starts, he’s gone 12 innings, struck out eight, and has yet to allow a single run. He’s amassed 0.5 bWAR on the mound. Combine that with his offensive bWAR, and Ohtani is leading the MLB with 1.1 bWAR. He’s the first player to be worth 1 win this season, and is on pace for his first 10-WAR season.
He has a long way to go, but Ohtani could potentially find himself in the mix to win a Cy Young award, a Silver Slugger award, and an MVP, a feat that nobody has accomplished in the history of baseball.
Ohtani leads Acuna Jr, Soto, Carroll, and Tatis Jr in MVP Odds
In order to win his fourth straight MVP, Ohtani is going to have to fend off some serious contention.
According to DraftKings odds, Ohtani is the clear favorite, at -220. Behind him are Ronald Acuna Jr (12-1), Juan Soto (13-1), Corbin Carroll (17-1), and Fernando Tatis Jr (28-1).
Acuna Jr. had a strong finish in 2025 after returning from injury, finishing the year with a .290 batting average and .935 OPS, and he won the 2023 NL MVP award when he became the first player to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases. However, Acuna Jr has not been off to as strong a start as Ohtani, with just one home run and 5 RBI in 2026.
Soto has finished in the top six in MVP voting in five of the past six years, but has yet to win one for himself. He’s hitting .355 with a .928 OPS, but is currently on the IL due to a calf injury.
Carroll is positioning himself as the biggest challenger to Ohtani early on. His 1.026 OPS is fifth in the league, ahead of Ohtani, and he leads all of baseball with three triples. He has the power and speed to put together a 20-20 or potentially 30-30 season, and his defense will help him to amass plenty of WAR.
Tatis Jr., so far, has not been much of a threat. He’s yet to hit a home run, and currently holds a .626 OPS.
Shohei Ohtani Leads Early NL MVP Odds Amidst Hot Start for Dodgers