[EmpireWF]

Going into tonights games, here are the candidates for the top two National League awards.

MVP
STL: 1B, Albert Pujols: .326/.429/.674, 36 HR, 98 RBI, 91 R
NYM: CF, Carlos Beltran: .289/.390/.626, 35 HR, 101 RBI, 93 R, 15 SB
PHI: 1B, Ryan Howard: .293/.383/.617, 43 HR, 111 RBI, 73 R
PHI: 2B, Chase Utley: .320/.385/.533, 22 HR, 78 RBI, 103 R,
NYM: SS, Jose Reyes: .293/.349/.482, 14 HR, 61 RBI, 98 R, 50 SB

CY YOUNG
ARI: Brandon Webb: 13-5, 3 CG, 2 SO, 132 K, 2.93 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
STL: Chris Carpenter: 12-6, 2 CG, 2 SO, 138 K, 3.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
LAD: Brad Penny: 13-6, 112 K, 3.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Wow, the Cy Young candidates are pretty thin. The highest win total is 13 and five pitchers have that in the NL. Who would you pick in each category?

For MVP in the NL, assuming the Phillies don't make the playoffs, I'd go with Pujols. Without him, the Cardinals are as average a team as you can get. For the Cy Young, I'd give it to Brandon Webb however Carpenter is right there and might get a deciding vote or two because his team will make the playoffs.

[MJHMarc]

Thanks for making this excellent post, EmpireWF. You really went over the standards here adding statistics than just the player's names and brief commentary. Great Job!

My choice for the NL MVP would be Ryan Howard. He has had an unbelievable season, leading the NL with 43 HRs to go along with his 111 RBIs. When thinking about the rest of the season which isn't all that long, just imagine of how much he can improve his numbers. In the beginning of the season, I would've handed Albert Pujols the award without a doubt, but after time and injuries I realized that he will just have a regular year for himself. His numbers are still great and all, but cannot compare to Ryan Howard's at all.

Chris Carpenter is again a contender for the NL Cy Young Award. The match-up this year is pretty close, even though none of them have 15+ wins thus far in the season. Even though I will support Brad Penny because I am a Dodgers' fan, I think Brandon Webb deserves it for his quality performances so far this year.

[legend]

Carlos Zambrano for Cy Young- he is 13-5 right now, leading the NL in K's, has a 3.34 ERA and 45 less hits than innings pitched- all for one of the worst teams in baseball.
Still say Pujols is the MVP

[Lefty Noob]

I'd also go with Pujols as MVP, and either Webb or Zambrano for Cy Young.

[MVB]

Just to go ahead and prove his worth, Albert Pujols just hit two homers- a 3-run HR and a grand slam off of Mets' starter John Maine ( the blasts came in two consecutive innings). He know has 38 homers and 105 RBIs.

He's my pick for MVP.

[MJHMarc]

It is really too early to call who will win the end of the season awards. There is over a month left of baseball where players can pop into the MVP race. Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard are definitely impressive contenders with a high chance of winning the NL MVP Award, but who knows if Carlos Beltran might become a top contender within a few days. Two or three good games and he might be our next MVP.

[MVB]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

Carlos Beltran might become a top contender within a few days. Two or three good games and he might be our next MVP.

*seconds later*

Carlos Beltran hits a walk-off, two-run homer against Jason Isringhausen and the Cardinals.

Nice call, man.

[MJHMarc]

Haha, that was totally unexpected. But I must admit that my predictions are awesome!

[ThePundit]

You guys are right. No stand out candidates. At this point, I would have to go with:

1) Brandon Webb and Carlos Beltran

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Gut says Pujols...heart says Beltran...

Webb over Zambrano...but he has faded a bit since his great start this season...

[MLBNY]

It is hard for me not to go with Zambrano for Cy Young especially with all of the no-hitters he has carried late into games. As for MVP, with Beltran hitting the walk-off HR and the way he has come up big for the Mets I would have to take him over Pujols, though if Pujols kept healthy he would be putting up some of the best stats we've seen in a while, though he'll have plenty more years to amaze us.

[MJHMarc]

How come nobody considers Ryan Howard when selecting their prediction of the NL MVP? He has the most impressive statistics in this Awards contest and can compare to David Ortiz's in the American League. It think it would be correct to give every athlete a fair chance to win an award, even though they may not get any votes.

[xxTriOvalxx]

I agree with you MLBNY....

Beltran has been almost as clutch as Ortiz has been this year....
Clutch.....unbelievable...but you don't really see those clutch statistics when youre looking at his stats.

Howard has 114 RBI's at the moment, while CB is at 103, and his average is lower than both Pujols and Howards...

I would love to see him win it....go dark horse!

[legend]

Beltran is surrounded by hitting, but Pujols has only Rolen protecting him in this suddenly laughable lineup. Zambrano improved to 14-5 with 7 more Ks, and now leads the league in wins and strikeouts.

[EmpireWF]

I agree with legend in the thinking that Beltran playing on a better team with a plethora of hitting talent behind him (Delgado, Wright) will hurt him in the voting. Howard may make a late run in September.

Whomever has the hottest September will win the MVP, remains to be seen who will.