It is Ohtani's to lose. It is as simple as that. With him back on the bump, it is going to be twice as hard for anyone to even have a fighting chance in this race. Sure, Pete Crow-Armstrong is +750 to win the award and is having a monster season. He is batting .269 with an .863 OPS, 27 home runs, and 76 RBI. Still, his numbers do not carry the same weight as Ohtani's, who owns a .275 average, a .998 OPS, has crushed 38 home runs, and driven in 71 runs.
Since getting back on the mound, Ohtani has pitched 12 innings, holds a 1.50 ERA, and has struck out 13 batters while walking only three. As the weeks go by, he will likely go deeper than just one or two innings, and his workload will only increase.
Who Has Value?
Is there any? No really, is there? I would not take Crow-Armstrong at +750, nor would I take Kyle Schwarber at 25/1. The Phillies slugger is having a monster July, batting .296 with 11 home runs, but he barely plays the field.
There is not even a long shot that grabs me in this market. It may be safe to say it is a wrap for Ohtani. However, anything can happen, and maybe my thoughts will change in the coming weeks, but as of today—July 28, 2025—nothing makes me want to rush to the counter and place a bet.
