Bet on These Home Run Leaders
With the 2024 All-Star Game behind us, there’s no doubt that baseball is in full swing. With that, the race for home-run leadership is heating up as well.
If you're looking to place your bets, all of the major sportsbooks are taking them for the 2024 home run leader. We’ve got the top long ball legends of the season, their odds, and who we like going into the second half of the MLB season.
Aaron Judge Dominates the League
Current Home Runs: 34
Current Odds: -350
Aaron Judge is a player who consistently delivers in multiple categories, but we’re going to keep it to yard bombs. Currently ranked first in the latest Hitter Power Rankings, Judge continues to be the league's most dominant hitter with 34 home runs. His 6’6” presence at the plate is intimidating for pitchers yet exciting for sports bettors.
Judge's performance this season showcases his remarkable talent and reliability, especially when he’s going yard 1 in 10 plate appearances. This puts him on track to wrap up the season with an eye-popping 68 homers. To put that in perspective, the MLB hasn’t had a home run leader with 60+ knocks since Judge did it last time in 2022 with 62. Before that, it was Barry Bonds* in 2001.
You saw that right. We put an asterisk next to Bonds’ name.
Given his track record and current form, betting on Judge at -350 odds is a good choice. Of course, you won’t make a lot of money on a bet with those odds, but it’s a sure-shot win if you do. The next closest contender isn’t even on track to make it to 60 homers on the season.
Shohei Ohtani Lights it Up
Current Home Runs: 29
Current Odds: +800
Shohei Ohtani is a name that needs no introduction. This season, he's been a force to reckon with as a batter, given he's sidelined from pitching due to Tommy John surgery. In the top 5 in several statistical categories, including hits and batting average, Ohtani is a powerhouse at the plate just as he is on the base paths.
In 94 games, he's batting .306 with an eye-popping 29 home runs, 95 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases. It goes to say that if he gets on base, there’s a good chance he’s making it home.
His on-base percentage stands at an impressive .400, and he's slugging .635. This results in an OPS of 1.035, ranking him near the top of the league.
For sports bettors, Ohtani's consistency and exceptional stats are a dream come true. His ability to impact the game in multiple ways keeps him a favorite among bettors for both team bets and prop bets. The odds of Ohtani continuing his stellar performance and finishing the season as a home run leader are good, but still a stretch from Judge.
He’s sitting at +800, which is great for bettors who want to collect a decent payday from the sportsbook. Judge can get injured or get on a cold streak, which would pave the way for Ohtani to take the crown this season.
Gunnar Henderson's Breakout Season
Current Home Runs: 28
Current Odds: +1300
Gunnar Henderson is having a breakout season, proving himself as one of the most productive and valuable hitters in the league despite only being 23 years old. Ranked third in homers, Henderson's performance this year has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s put 28 balls over the fence, which puts him just behind Ohtani.
Making a name for himself at the 2024 Home Run Derby, Henderson's rise to prominence has been marked by his impressive hitting skills and ability to deliver in crucial moments for the Orioles.
This breakout season has positioned him as a key player to watch and bet on. He’s still in the race for the home run crown, but even if he doesn’t get it this year, he’s only going to get better in future years.
For those considering placing bets on Gunnar as the home run leader in MLB, Henderson offers great value at +1300 odds. We think he’s undervalued. Sure, he’s 3rd in the running, and he’s 6 knocks behind Judge; Henderson is still in the running. Placing a bet with these odds is a good idea as you stand a chance to walk away with a big payday.
Marcell Ozuna's Solid Season
Current Home Runs: 26
Current Odds: +2500
Marcell Ozuna is having a solid season, ranking sixth in OPS with .960. Over 95 games and 353 plate appearances, he's hitting .303 with 26 home runs and 77 RBIs. His on-base percentage is .379, and he's slugging .581. Overall, it was not a bad first half of the MLB season for Ozuna. However, is it enough for him to be crowned the home run leader for the season?
Ozuna's consistency makes him a reliable option for bettors. While we think it’s still a stretch for him to pass up Judge and Ohtani as the home run leader, there’s still a chance, and with odds at +2500, it could be a decent payout. Think of it this way. If Ozuna has a couple of series with some yard bombs and Judge goes through a slight slump, we could be having a totally different discussion.
Yordan Alvarez… How’d He Get Here?
Current Home Runs: 19
Current Odds: +4000
Yordan Alvarez has the 5th best odds by the bookmakers to claim the home run crown despite being tied at 14th with 19 home runs. Sure, he can be impressive at times, but with only 7 homers in the last 30 games, that’s not a good look. Yet, somehow, he still comes in at the top of the odds. Other bombers in front of him include Anthony Santander, who has 24 homers, and Rafael Devers, who has 23, so they might just be a better bet than Alvarez.
With +4000 odds, betting on Alvarez could be a decent payday, but we think the bookies are overrating him. He should be in the realm of +9000 and if he stays on this track, he very well could be there in a couple of weeks. We don’t recommend betting on him, but Santander with +5500 or Devers with +12000 would be a better pick for your bet slip.
Place Your Bets on the Home Run Leader
Betting on who will take the home run crown for the 2024 season requires a keen eye for talent and watching the odds. With the first half of the season behind us, most of the best players have climbed the ladder enough to make a case for the top slot. Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Gunnar Henderson, and Marcell Ozuna are all making strong cases this season. Each of these players brings unique strengths to the field, offering various opportunities for sports bettors, even if it’s not for the home run leader.
Whether you go for the exceptional consistency of Ohtani, the power of Judge, the breakout potential of Henderson, the reliability of Ozuna, or want to throw your money away with Alvarez, these players all have the best odds at the sportsbooks. We’re hoping when October comes around, you’ll see your account balance grow significantly when your bet is settled.