All-Star Break Awards
By Joe Nelson
As we approach the midway point of the MLB season the awards talk starts to pick up. It is far too soon to know what will happen the rest of the season and rarely do the halfway leaders close out the deal but it is worth recognizing the top performers so far this year. Keep an eye on awards talk as some of the pitchers that are mentioned as Cy Young contenders could see inflated in lines in upcoming starts.
AL MVP: Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels
Joe Mauer would get a lot votes in this category at the midway point and although Mauer has received a lot of press and has had amazing statistical season he did miss an entire month and the Twins are only one game above .500 since he has returned. Fellow Twin Justin Morneau is also a worthy candidate, batting .320 and ranking second in the AL in home runs and RBI. The player that has truly carried his team is former Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter. The Angels were struck with tragedy early this season and the injuries in the pitching staff have been devastating. Normally one of the best bullpens in baseball, the Angels have had terrible relief pitching this season yet Los Angeles is ten games above .500 and tied for first place in the AL West. Hunter’s stat line is impressive: .305, 17 HRs, 69 RBI, 56 R, 13 SB, in addition to playing highlight reel center field. Hunter was letdown by the fans in the All-Star votes, who voted in Josh Hamilton in ahead of him with Jason Bay and Ichiro, but Hunter would be a deserving MVP at this point in the year.
NL MVP: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals were considered an afterthought in the AL Central with the powerful Cubs making big moves and the Brewers looking like a serious threat again. Cincinnati was even considered a more promising team than the Cardinals but St. Louis looks like they will lead the division at the break. With a lineup that does not have many other great threats and has been hit with injuries Pujols has posted MVP numbers and is a legitimate Triple Crown candidate. Pujols leads the NL in home runs and RBI by wide margins and is also batting .336. Pujols was the MVP last season and he is well on his way to surpass those numbers. Hanley Ramirez, Raul Ibanez, and Chase Utley have also had great season and Milwaukee’s duo of Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun also deserve mention but no one is even in the same building as Pujols right now and he will be a lock for the MVP if the Cardinals stay in contention.
AL Cy Young: Zack Greinke, Kansas City Royals
Although the Royals have faded from contention Greinke is still have a fantastic season with a 2.00 ERA and five complete games. Cliff Lee won the award last season on a last place team and there is much more precedence for this award not requiring a playoff contending team. Greinke has not held up his early season pace but no other starter is even close to him in ERA and he has an over 6:1 strikeout to walk ratio. Greinke may have a hard time picking up the needed wins if the Royals continue to struggle so Greinke could fall out of contention for this award if another pitcher can get to 20+ wins but Greinke has been the dominant pitcher of the first half of the season. Roy Halladay would likely be the biggest threat given his track record and Felix Hernandez will also get consideration even though he has just eight wins at this point. Others deserving mention are Mark Buehrle, Edwin Jackson, and Jered Weaver and there is still time for more familiar candidates to work in the mix as Josh Beckett, Justin Verlander, and C.C. Sabathia have all had good enough first halves that a great second half could take the award on a team that likely earns a playoff trip.
NL Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
A repeat Cy Young could be in the works for Lincecum who has posted incredible numbers, leading baseball in strikeouts and ranking second in the NL in ERA and third in wins. Giants teammate Matt Cain has nearly mirrored Lincecum sans the huge strikeout numbers and Dan Haren has pitched as well as anyone but is stuck with an awful Arizona team that has hurt his opportunities for wins. The Giants are in wild card contention despite poor offensive numbers and pitching has been the reason so Lincecum and Cain would be the most deserving candidates. Josh Johnson could be a sleeper for this award if the Marlins can stay in the NL East race and Chad Billingsley has also had a great year with the Dodgers, who have by far the best record in the NL. Jason Marquis leads the NL in wins and has delivered a fine season while pitching in Colorado and Marquis should be given some consideration even if his numbers do not end up as strong as some of the other contenders since he pitches at Coor’s Field.
VegasInsider.com