Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Royce Lewis’ AL MVP Odds and Previewing His Upcoming Season

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Ezra Greenman | Last updated 2/18/24

Last season, Royce Lewis played a crucial role in breaking the Minnesota Twins’ playoff curse, which had seen them lose 18 consecutive postseason games dating back to 2004. Despite battling injuries, Lewis was a standout performer, consistently delivering strong performances at the plate and solidifying his position as a top batter in the Twins’ lineup.

Last season, Lewis appeared in 58 regular-season games for the Twins and all six playoff games. During the regular season, he recorded 67 hits in those 58 games, resulting in an impressive .309 batting average. Additionally, Lewis hit 15 home runs in the regular season. In the playoffs, Lewis really showcased his value by hitting four home runs in six games, ultimately leading the Twins to a series victory.

AL MVP Odds

Royce Lewis emerged as a notable presence during the postseason, garnering attention across the league. While Twins fans widely acknowledged his talent, he truly showcased it in October. Now, with odds assigned to his name on sportsbooks, Lewis is quietly positioned as a dark horse contender for the AL MVP title in the upcoming season.

Royce Lewis AL MVP Odds

Seventeen players in the American League are favored over Royce Lewis in terms of odds, a relatively small number considering he hasn’t completed a full season in the league. Aaron Judge leads the AL with the best odds at +550. Lewis has the top odds among Twins players, although Byron Buxton is not far behind. Buxton’s lowest odds are on FanDuel at +6500.

MLB Insider Likes Lewis’ Chances With A Full Healthy Season

Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Royce Lewis faced health challenges last season, including not being at full strength during the playoffs due to a strained hamstring that sidelined him for a few weeks. Additionally, Lewis has a history of ACL injuries, having torn it twice, once in 2021 and again in 2022, leading to minor setbacks. Despite these setbacks, MLB Network analyst Sean Casey believes that with a full, healthy season, Lewis will be a strong contender in the MVP race.

“I'm just saying man, Royce Lewis, if this guy can get 140 games… he might be in the [AL MVP] conversation.” – @TheMayorsOffice #MLBNHotStove | @Twins pic.twitter.com/duBUOuZvOv
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 14, 2024

Lewis is poised to be a formidable presence in the Twins lineup as they aim to replicate their success from last year and make a statement in October. If Lewis performs as anticipated, the Twins are primed to reclaim the top spot in the AL Central. However, ensuring he stays healthy will be paramount for both Lewis and the team’s success.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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