NL Star Draws MVP Prediction Amid Strong Start Against Red Sox
NL Star Draws MVP Prediction Amid Strong Start Against Red Sox initially appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One analyst believes the Boston Red Sox are opening the 2026 season in opposition to an MVP candidate.
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The Red Sox cut up their first two video games with the Cincinnati Reds earlier than Sunday’s rubber match at Great American Ball Park. Elly De La Cruz struck out twice in every contest, however the shortstop has additionally gone 2-for-8 with two walks and a house run.
Shohei Ohtani captured the National League MVP award in back-to-back years since leaving the Los Angeles Angels for the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the two-way phenom stays a favourite to threepeat, MLB Network host Brian Kenny thinks De La Cruz can take the crown.
“If there’s someone that can combine everything with the speed… a guy who can have an eight-win season that might challenge Ohtani, I think it’s Elly De La Cruz,” Kenny mentioned. “Look, he’s got to bolster his numbers. But with his baserunning runs and his defense at shortstop, I think he has a really good case.”
Kenny made the identical prediction final season, however De La Cruz hit .264/.336/.440 with 22 residence runs and 4.3 fWAR. He additionally performed by {a partially} torn left quad suffered within the second half, and his OPS cratered to .666 after the All-Star break.
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A wholesome De La Cruz might fulfill his famous person ceiling in his fourth MLB season. To Kenny’s level, the dynamic athlete stole 67 bases and recorded 14 outs above common at shortstop in 2024.
Ohtani leads the sector as a powerful -140 favourite on DraftKings Sportsbook to win NL MVP. De La Cruz matches New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor at +2500 behind Juan Soto (+700), Ronald Acuna Jr. (+1000) and Fernando Tatis Jr. (+2000).
Connelly Early and the Red Sox will look to include De La Cruz when taking part in the Reds on Sunday at 1:40 pm ET.
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