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THE OFFICIAL: NL Cy Young/NL MVP...Race Heats Up
It’s that time of year baseball fans! The leaves are changing, the races are heating up, and it’s the time of year we separate the Cy Young/MVP contenders from the pretenders.
Top 3 NL Cy Young Candidates (Stats as of 09/01/08)
1) Brandon Webb
Leads NL with 19 wins
Tied for 8th with 160 Ks (only 51 walks)
10th in ERA 3.19
Strike out to walk ratio 3.14
3 Complete Games (3rd in NL)
The great thing about Webb is he pitches a lot of innings and has proved his durability. So many pitchers today can be great in stretches, but seem to get hung up by nagging injuries throughout the year. As it stands Webb leads the NL in wins, and IMO gaudy stats are great, but in the end I want my pitcher to win games. If Webb can hold on to his current lead in wins he deserves a lot of votes for NL Cy Young.
2) Tim Lincecum
Tied for 3rd in NL with 15 wins
Leads NL in Strikeouts 210 (70 walks)
Leads NL in ERA 2.43
3.00 Strikeout to walk ratio
0 complete games
When you lead your league in strikeouts and ERA, you have a good chance of winning the Cy Young. This kid has been nothing short of dominant in his first full season in the big leagues. Although his team has been awful this season his 15 wins count for 1/4th of the Giants total victories.
3) CC Sabathia (stats since being traded 07/06/08)
Leads NL in wins 9
Leads NL in Ks 85 (only 18 walks)
Leads NL in ERA 1.43
4.72 Strikeout to walk ratio
6 complete games (Leads NL for entire year)
All you can say when looking at CC is, WOW. He has completely has made NL hitters look like tee-ball players. He only made 11 starts and already has 6 complete games (and was 2 outs away form 7). Not to mention he recorded a 1 hitter against the Pirates on Sunday (most would agree it should have been a no hitter). It will be interesting to see how CC does against the Cubs (Brewers Cubs match up for 6 more games). If he can win his starts against the Cubs (assuming Brewers than catch Cubs in NL Central), he finishes the season without a loss (13-0, 14-0), and keeps an ERA under 2, its going to hard not to vote for CC.
Dark Horse:
Ryan Dempster-He has been great for the Cubs, moving from the bullpen back to the starting rotation, and maybe the best third starter in the NL. He will need to keep it up for Cubs if they hope to win their first Word Series in over 100 years.
Johan Santana-After getting the huge contract this off season Santana had not lived up to his expectations going 7-7 before July, 4th. Since then he has not lost (12-7), and has his Mets in first place in the NL East.
If the season ended today the NL Cy Young winner is: Tim Lincecum
This is one of the tightest races every. Lincecum has done it all year long and has done so for a sub par team. I think getting your team to the playoffs is important, but what more can Lincecum do?? Webb will get some votes if he can keep his lead in wins. But Lincecum’s biggest push is going to come from CC if he can keep up what he is doing the rest of the season.
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Top 3 NL MVP Candidates (Stats as of 09/01/08)
1) Ryan Braun
BA/HR/RBI/OB%
.304/34/96/.344
Since being brought up in late May of last season, Braun as emerged as one of the most dangerous right handed batters in baseball. Braun’s unique ability to hit the ball with power to all fields helped him earn NL Rookie of the Year honors despite only playing 113 games. After hitting 30 HRs (this season) for the second consecutive season, Ryan Braun joined Albert Puljos as the only two players in MLB history to have back to back 30 HR seasons to start a career. The only knock on Braun is he tends to be a bit impatient, but once he becomes more disciplined at the plate I expect Braun to be an annual .320-.330 hitter. Braun also moved from third base to left field this season which can be a daunting task for young players, yet he has yet to commit an error and was named the NL starter.
2) Albert Puljos
BA/HR/RBI/.OB%
.363/30/91/.470
Albert Puljos is the best player of our era, and thus will be in the discussion for MVP every season of his career. Despite a small drop in HRs and RBI, Puljos is not only in the MVP discussions, he maybe enjoying his best season ever. He is currently leading the NL in batting average and seems to be aiming for his first ever batting title. The Cardinals where predicted to be a non-factor in the playoff races, but lead by Puljos the Cardinals currently have the 3rd best record in the NL. Unfortunately, they are also 3rd in their own division looking up at the Cubs and Brewers.
3) Lance Berkman
BA/HR/RBI/.OB%
.338/27/94/.437
When thinking about superstars in the MLB today often times Berkman unfairly is over looked. This season he ranks in the top 10 in almost every offensive category. With the game on the line Berkman would be the player I would want at the plate, not only for his knack for the clutch hit, but also because he is a switch hitter making it almost impossible for opposing manager’s to get a favorable pitching match up.
Dark Horse:
Ryan Howard- He leads the NL in HRs and RBIs. And has the Phillies in the thick of the NL East race, and also the wildcard. However, Howard is going to have to improve on his .234 BA to have any chance at the MVP.
Carlos Delgado/David Wright- These two started off slow, and most left the Mets for dead. But, after firing Willie Randolph, the Mets have climbed all the way to the top of the NL East thanks to the resurgence of Delgado and Wright.
If season ended today the NL MVP is: Ryan Braun
For me the MVP in any given league has to lead his team to the playoffs. This eliminates Berkman. Even though Albert Puljos is having the “better” season, the Cardinals (unless they can make a huge run) are going to be left out of the playoffs. Also, the Brewers have beaten the Cardinals 10 out of 15 times this season, while Braun has out slugged Puljos in head to head match ups.
BA/HR/RBI/OB% (in 15 games Brewers vs. Cardinals)
Braun-.459/7/13/.493
Puljos-.286/1/6/.429
If Braun and the Brewers can hold on to their lead in the Wild Card or even catch the Cubs in the NL Central, it will mark the first time in 26 years the Brewers make the playoffs. Which would also mean that Braun wins the MVP.
It’s that time of year baseball fans! The leaves are changing, the races are heating up, and it’s the time of year we separate the Cy Young/MVP contenders from the pretenders.
Top 3 NL Cy Young Candidates (Stats as of 09/01/08)
1) Brandon Webb
Leads NL with 19 wins
Tied for 8th with 160 Ks (only 51 walks)
10th in ERA 3.19
Strike out to walk ratio 3.14
3 Complete Games (3rd in NL)
The great thing about Webb is he pitches a lot of innings and has proved his durability. So many pitchers today can be great in stretches, but seem to get hung up by nagging injuries throughout the year. As it stands Webb leads the NL in wins, and IMO gaudy stats are great, but in the end I want my pitcher to win games. If Webb can hold on to his current lead in wins he deserves a lot of votes for NL Cy Young.
2) Tim Lincecum
Tied for 3rd in NL with 15 wins
Leads NL in Strikeouts 210 (70 walks)
Leads NL in ERA 2.43
3.00 Strikeout to walk ratio
0 complete games
When you lead your league in strikeouts and ERA, you have a good chance of winning the Cy Young. This kid has been nothing short of dominant in his first full season in the big leagues. Although his team has been awful this season his 15 wins count for 1/4th of the Giants total victories.
3) CC Sabathia (stats since being traded 07/06/08)
Leads NL in wins 9
Leads NL in Ks 85 (only 18 walks)
Leads NL in ERA 1.43
4.72 Strikeout to walk ratio
6 complete games (Leads NL for entire year)
All you can say when looking at CC is, WOW. He has completely has made NL hitters look like tee-ball players. He only made 11 starts and already has 6 complete games (and was 2 outs away form 7). Not to mention he recorded a 1 hitter against the Pirates on Sunday (most would agree it should have been a no hitter). It will be interesting to see how CC does against the Cubs (Brewers Cubs match up for 6 more games). If he can win his starts against the Cubs (assuming Brewers than catch Cubs in NL Central), he finishes the season without a loss (13-0, 14-0), and keeps an ERA under 2, its going to hard not to vote for CC.
Dark Horse:
Ryan Dempster-He has been great for the Cubs, moving from the bullpen back to the starting rotation, and maybe the best third starter in the NL. He will need to keep it up for Cubs if they hope to win their first Word Series in over 100 years.
Johan Santana-After getting the huge contract this off season Santana had not lived up to his expectations going 7-7 before July, 4th. Since then he has not lost (12-7), and has his Mets in first place in the NL East.
If the season ended today the NL Cy Young winner is: Tim Lincecum
This is one of the tightest races every. Lincecum has done it all year long and has done so for a sub par team. I think getting your team to the playoffs is important, but what more can Lincecum do?? Webb will get some votes if he can keep his lead in wins. But Lincecum’s biggest push is going to come from CC if he can keep up what he is doing the rest of the season.
________________________________________________________________________
Top 3 NL MVP Candidates (Stats as of 09/01/08)
1) Ryan Braun
BA/HR/RBI/OB%
.304/34/96/.344
Since being brought up in late May of last season, Braun as emerged as one of the most dangerous right handed batters in baseball. Braun’s unique ability to hit the ball with power to all fields helped him earn NL Rookie of the Year honors despite only playing 113 games. After hitting 30 HRs (this season) for the second consecutive season, Ryan Braun joined Albert Puljos as the only two players in MLB history to have back to back 30 HR seasons to start a career. The only knock on Braun is he tends to be a bit impatient, but once he becomes more disciplined at the plate I expect Braun to be an annual .320-.330 hitter. Braun also moved from third base to left field this season which can be a daunting task for young players, yet he has yet to commit an error and was named the NL starter.
2) Albert Puljos
BA/HR/RBI/.OB%
.363/30/91/.470
Albert Puljos is the best player of our era, and thus will be in the discussion for MVP every season of his career. Despite a small drop in HRs and RBI, Puljos is not only in the MVP discussions, he maybe enjoying his best season ever. He is currently leading the NL in batting average and seems to be aiming for his first ever batting title. The Cardinals where predicted to be a non-factor in the playoff races, but lead by Puljos the Cardinals currently have the 3rd best record in the NL. Unfortunately, they are also 3rd in their own division looking up at the Cubs and Brewers.
3) Lance Berkman
BA/HR/RBI/.OB%
.338/27/94/.437
When thinking about superstars in the MLB today often times Berkman unfairly is over looked. This season he ranks in the top 10 in almost every offensive category. With the game on the line Berkman would be the player I would want at the plate, not only for his knack for the clutch hit, but also because he is a switch hitter making it almost impossible for opposing manager’s to get a favorable pitching match up.
Dark Horse:
Ryan Howard- He leads the NL in HRs and RBIs. And has the Phillies in the thick of the NL East race, and also the wildcard. However, Howard is going to have to improve on his .234 BA to have any chance at the MVP.
Carlos Delgado/David Wright- These two started off slow, and most left the Mets for dead. But, after firing Willie Randolph, the Mets have climbed all the way to the top of the NL East thanks to the resurgence of Delgado and Wright.
If season ended today the NL MVP is: Ryan Braun
For me the MVP in any given league has to lead his team to the playoffs. This eliminates Berkman. Even though Albert Puljos is having the “better” season, the Cardinals (unless they can make a huge run) are going to be left out of the playoffs. Also, the Brewers have beaten the Cardinals 10 out of 15 times this season, while Braun has out slugged Puljos in head to head match ups.
BA/HR/RBI/OB% (in 15 games Brewers vs. Cardinals)
Braun-.459/7/13/.493
Puljos-.286/1/6/.429
If Braun and the Brewers can hold on to their lead in the Wild Card or even catch the Cubs in the NL Central, it will mark the first time in 26 years the Brewers make the playoffs. Which would also mean that Braun wins the MVP.
