Ronald Acuña’s NL MVP isn’t a shoo-in, it turns out. Mookie Betts now leads bWAR 7.6 to 6.5 and OPS (1.021 to .982). Freddie Freeman (6.0, .998) and Matt Olson (.969 43 HRs, 112 RBIs) also are in the mix.
Acuña had led the NL with 178 hits and a .416 on base-percentage before becoming the first 30-60 man in MLB history with a home run on Thursday night in the Braves’ win, but Betts also hit two homers in the game. Betts — with his positional versatility that includes the unusual, even incredible combo of right field, second base and even shortstop — gets the nod here now.
The Post’s Jon Heyman believes Mookie Betts has moved ahead of Ronald Acuña in the NL MVP race. APMets GM Billy Eppler traveled to Japan in May to see top Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. A few other GMs have been as well — with the Dodgers, Cubs, Red Sox, Cardinals, Rangers and Yankees among other interested teams. He’s probably a more realistic option than Shohei Ohtani for the Mets.
Eduardo Rodriguez, with three years and $49M to go, is expected to opt out of his contract unless the Tigers are able to extend him before free agency. The Tigers are interested in keeping E-Rod, who showed how much he likes Detroit by turning down a deal to the Dodgers at the deadline.
No surprise: Javier Baez will not opt out of his Tigers deal. He is due $98M over the next four years.
Hard to believe, but there’s someone unluckier than the Padres. Their 0-11 record in extra-inning games is only second-worst to the 1969 Expos (0-12), and their 6-22 record in one-run games also isn’t the worst (1935 Boston Braves, 7-31).
