World Series 2022: Updated MVP Predictions Before Astros vs. Phillies Game 3

The 2022 World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies is tied at one game apiece as the teams head to The City of Brotherly Love Monday night for Game 3, and several players have asserted themselves as potential MVP candidates already.

For Houston, one is an unlikely hero whose efforts in the opener sparked the American League champs' offense. The other? An under-the-radar hitter who has made a habit of coming up big when needed.

In the case of the opposition, it's a veteran catcher making his presence felt at the plate who could hoist the trophy, but the biggest star in the series may have something to say about that if he can rediscover the dominant swing that has led the Phils to the brink of a world title.

Ahead of a pivotal Game 3, dive into these updated predictions for World Series MVP.

Updated World Series MVP Odds

Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies warms-up during batting practice prior to Game 2 of the 2022 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, October 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

• Kyle Tucker (+600)
• Framber Valdez (+650)
• Alex Bregman (+700)
• Bryce Harper (+850)
• JT Realmuto (+900)
• Yordan Álvarez (+900)
• José Altuve (+1100)
• Jeremy Peña (+1500)

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Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook.

Astros: Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker

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HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros throws to first for the out during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, October 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Alex Bregman has had eight at-bats in the World Series, with two singles, a double and a home run. He is averaging .250 at the plate, gets on base one-third of the time and carries an OPS of 1.083.

Those numbers are improvements over his regular-season stats, and there is no denying that his bat and ability to get on base have been a huge part of the Astros' playoff run.

The 28-year-old was key to the team leveling the series at one game apiece and extending its lead to 5-0 in Game 2. He will likely continue to be a threat to either drive in runs or score on his own, making him a player to keep an eye on in regard to MVP candidates from the AL champions.

If Bregman is not the guy, teammate Kyle Tucker might be.

The left-handed hitter may have been quiet in the Astros' dominant Game 2 victory, but he was a menace for Phillies pitchers in the series opener.

In five plate appearances, the 25-year-old amassed three hits, drove in four runs, had a batting average of .600 and a matching on-base percentage. Of those three hits, two were home runs.

If Tucker can even come close to replicating those numbers and proving his performance in Game 1 was not a one-off, he will earn the MVP award and the Astros will likely hoist another Commissioner's Trophy.

Keep an eye on José Altuve, too.

The 32-year-old has looked anything but a star for most of the postseason, but he heated up in Game 2, going 3-4 with an RBI.

If Altuve can build on that, don't be surprised if he sneaks into the MVP conversation late on.

Phillies: Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto

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HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies lines out in the first inning against the Houston Astros in Game Two of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Phillies go as Bryce Harper does.

It would be easy to look at the stat line and predict which Phillies player takes home the MVP honors should the underdog squad emerge victorious, but this year's playoffs have taught us that Harper is the key cog in the machine.

The 30-year-old has amassed 20 in 51 at-bats, driven in a playoff-leading 11 runs and blasted five home runs. He is batting .392, has an on-base percentage of .426, and an OPS of 1.230. He has been the ignition for the Phillies' offensive output and will be essential to the team's efforts to overcome the Astros and their brilliant rotation.

Harper has been quiet thus far in the World Series, with just two hits and one run to speak of. That will have to change if the National League champs are to have any chance of winning a world title.

Luckily for them, another veteran player has stepped up and proved his value in the most prestigious series in sports.

Catcher JT Realmuto has been better than Harper, compiling a stat line that includes three hits, a home run, three RBI and a batting average of .375. His OBP is .444, his slugging percentage is an impressive .875 and his OPS is 1.319 in the series.

The 31-year-old has been fairly consistent throughout the postseason and is second in the Majors in runs behind Harper. Most notably, it was his 10th-inning bomb that pushed the Phils ahead of Houston for the Game 1 victory.

Realmuto is not the star Harper is, but he is good enough at the plate to win the MVP if his teammate's World Series silence continues and Philly still manages to win the trophy.

Don't count out Kyle Schwarber, either. If the lead-off man gets hot, he can do damage with his bat and make a late surge for the award, too.