MVP Favorite Jose Abreu Hits First Postseason HR

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Jose Abreu, the odds-on favorite to win the American League MVP this year, homered in Game 1 of the White Sox wild card matchup against Oakland on Tuesday. It was the ChiSox first playoff game since 2008 and the first of Abreu’s career.

The third-inning two-run shot came off A’s starter Jesus Lazardo and put the Sox up 3-0.

Abreu played in every game for Chicago during the shortened season, hitting .317 (his highest BA since his rookie year) with 19 homers and an MLB-best 60 runs batted in. Abreu also led the AL with a .617 slugging percentage.

In addition to their boppers getting going, the Sox also got an excellent start from ace Lucas Giolito, who had a perfect game going through six innings, before allowing an earned run in the bottom of the eighth.

Chicago beat Oakland 4-1 to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series.

Abreu has 3-1 odds to win the AL MVP, per SBD via the Chicago Sun-Times.