Bet on these managers to win the AL and NL Manager of the Year Award:
The clock is ticking, and the options are limited for MLB bettors still interested in making some late-season award winner wagers. A shallow pool of potential plays in early September shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Just like you, the books are well aware of season-long statistics and the straw polls where media members have indicated who they are backing for the awards. The books have priced many of the favorites as high as they are now in order to prevent bettors from jumping aboard late or making some last-ditch maneuvers.
There is an awards board still open for some business. Interestingly, it is not one of the two that are getting so much media attention.
The National League MVP is now down to Pete Crow-Armstrong (-1600) who has catapulted to a lead over Shohei Ohtani (+900). The Cubs star gathering so much support over the Dodgers star feels odd because I don’t have to take a deep dive into the statistics to know that Ohtani’s resume is filled with many more valuable pitching innings regardless of when they took place this season. Nonetheless, the books exuding some much confidence behind Crow-Armstrong has me staying away from backing Ohtani.
The other marquee race is the American League Cy Young where New York’s Cam Schlittler (-170) is starting to create some distance from Toronto’s Dylan Cease (+145). Even though both aces will make about four more starts this season, someone interested in backing Cease at this juncture should look elsewhere. Namely To Make the Playoffs board where the Blue Jays are (+210). In order for Toronto to get that final wild card spot, Cease will need to pitch like a Cy Young. The Make the Playoffs wager comes at a better price and bypasses any subjectivity.
The award market still offering late-season profit potential is the National League Manager of the Year. Most books don’t list this one, so if interested, head over to FanDuel where it is consistently posted.
I examined this award just over a month ago and landed on Don Mattingly as my play. While I have not given up total hope for the Philadelphia manager and think he is still in play because the Phillies are set to play seven games against Atlanta, Mattingly (+500) has drifted to the third option. The focus now should be on the top two options: Walt Weiss (+190) of the Braves and Milwaukee’s Pat Murphy (+250). Based on my analysis, Weiss shouldn’t be the favorite. Murphy is a value play at this point.
When I first attacked this market, I faded Murphy because no manager has won the award three straight times. However, with a month to go in the season, he should be the top choice for voters and bettors. As a point of reference, futures bettors should always be monitoring the board and not go blind to ongoing developments because they have a ticket in pocket.
Since Atlanta is in position to win the NL East during Weiss’ first season with the Braves, he has moved to the top of the board. While a division crown is a noticeable accomplishment, it should not be enough to trump what Murphy has in sight.
As of now, it’s Milwaukee, not the ballyhooed Dodgers, who are in line for the best record in the league. The best league record would give Murphy a bigger notch on his belt than Weiss winning a division that saw the Phillies get out of the gate so slowly, and one with the Mets, who for the most part, have been the Mets all season.
Remember, this award is based on the regular season, thus negating the possibility that Murphy and the Brewers have yet another fall setback.
Another reason Weiss’ placement as favorite may be tenuous is all those games against Philadelphia, which went 21-7 in August.
If Atlanta’s current four-game lead in the division is altered during these key two series, then Weiss’ candidacy is knocked down while Mattingly’s stock rises.
For those bullish on Weiss, keep some units handy and wager on the head-to-head games against the Phillies instead of a subjective award.
Along with Mattingly, the next choice is San Diego’s Craig Stammen at +500. Once again, eliminate the subjectivity if you think the Padres can wrestle the final NL wild card spot away from Arizona and take them at -165 to Make the Playoffs. Sure, there is far less of a return with this wager, but it doesn’t need more than a few dominoes to fall in the right place to cash.
To break the handicap down in the simplest manner, Murphy’s team has a three-game lead to take home the best record in the National League – that accomplishment would be the most profound of the other candidates and almost force the voters to give him an unprecedented third straight award. Riding the coattails of the Miz’s incredible season is another check in the Murphy column.
Murphy benching Cooper Pratt for a lack of hustle also earned him a few days’ worth of positive press.
Since the NL Manager of the Year Award is contingent on how Atlanta, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Los Angeles end the season, here are their respective September series.
Atlanta: @ Washington; @ Philadelphia; vs TB; vs Philadelphia; @ Cubs; @ Houston; vs Cincinnati; @ Miami
Milwaukee: @ Cubs; @ Cincinnati; vs Cubs; vs Reds; @ Pittsburgh; @ Baltimore; @ Philadelphia; vs St. Louis
Philadelphia: @ Arizona; vs Atlanta; vs Houston; @ Atlanta; @ Washington; @ Mets; vs Milwaukee; vs Tampa Bay
Los Angeles: vs St. Louis; vs Washington; vs Cincinnati; @ Miami; @ Cincinnati; vs San Francisco; vs San Diego; @ San Francisco
According to Tankathon.com, Philadelphia has the second-highest remaining strength of schedule, with Atlanta coming in with the fifth-highest, Milwaukee at the eighth-highest, and LA with the 27th-highest.
Keep in mind, the Dodgers have indicated they are using the final month to prep for the playoffs, not fight for the No.1 seed.
American League Manager of the Year
Chicago’s Will Venable was my play in July, along with the suggestion of getting him then, when a plus number was still on the board. His odds are now -230, which sure sounds positive, but that ticket can’t be counted on just yet with the pesky Guardians still somehow alive in the AL Central. Chicago must win the division for Venable to get the award. Cleveland currently stands at -120 on the NO to Make the Playoffs.
If the White Sox somehow falter and don’t win the division, the award goes to Chad Tracy (+370), who seemingly has guided Boston into the playoffs.
SPONSORED
TONY GEORGE IS DELIVERING RESULTS WITH PROPS
Tony George, a 34-year veteran Handicapper at Docs Sports, continues to produce winning results. Over the past 19 days, he has generated an impressive +$3545 profit with his Props in MLB and the WNBA, showcasing the consistency and discipline that have made him one of the industry’s most trusted handicappers.
His results speak for themselves:
· +$3545 over the last 19 days
· 4-0 run on Top Picks (only 4 of them in 30 days by design)
Rather than flooding clients with excessive plays, Tony’s low-volume, methodical approach focuses on quality over quantity—and it’s paying off once again in 2026.
See Tony’s recent results here.
If you’re looking for a proven handicapper with a consistent track record and disciplined strategy, check out Tony George’s daily selections at Docs Sports and see why so many clients continue to trust his picks.
Access his premium picks at Doc’s Sports with a free $60 new member account. Get your free trial here!
