'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In 2022, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani had a tremendous battle for the American League MVP. In 2023, they would have done it again if not for a Judge injury that cost him two months. In 2024, they weren't in the same league but are likely to compete for MVP again and have another epic battle. Despite not having that bout, they are going to square off this week with a potential award on the line.
The World Series MVP is bestowed upon the player who impacted the series the most, and there's certainly a chance that either of these players could get it. Both exceeded 50 home runs and over 9.0 fWAR and are the two best players in the series, so one of them may earn MVP honors.
Judge has not played as well as he has in the regular season. He began heating up in the ALCS with two home runs and some walks, but he still didn't match the level of play of MVP Giancarlo Stanton or Juan Soto.
Trending
Ohtani, on the other hand, has been good all postseason. He is not quite hitting up to his own standard, either, but he's been excellent in his first postseason. It is, just like Judge, the first time Ohtani will play a World Series, though.
Right now, the odds are leaning towards Ohtani, as he is +220 to win the MVP, according to CBS Sports. Judge is right behind at +490. Soto, Mookie Betts and Stanton are all close as well.
Aaron Judge returning to form just in time for the World Series
If the New York Yankees are going to win the World Series, it will take a better effort from Aaron Judge. Fortunately for them, he has begun to get back to being his usual self. His ALDS was highly disappointing, but his ALCS was closer to his 58-homer peak in the regular season.
Judge recorded just two hits in the ALDS, while in the ALCS, he had two home runs, walked a few times and recorded another hit. His batted balls were sharp often, even when he recorded outs.
Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers have a star-studded roster, but the Yankees do, too. They just need their star to continue heating up and get even better in the World Series.
