[Lefty Noob]

Perhaps Ryan Howard is the rightful NL MVP. There's certainly a strong case to be made, especially after last night's game. Howard homered and drove in a total of three runs in Philly's 4-3 win over the Mets on Friday. He now leads the NL in home runs (45) and RBI (117). His .293 batting average is better than the league average, and with 76 runs scored, a slugging percentage of .620 and an OPS of 1.002, he does seem to be one of the top candidates. What hurts him more, his team's record or his 148 strikeouts?

[EmpireWF]

I'd hate to say it but he's won me over. He's seemingly hitting home runs in every AB and a big part in leading the Phillies towards the NL Wild Card.

Beltran is playing great but can't contend with all those home runs Howard's hitting.

[Lefty Noob]

Howard hit two more last night and all but single handledly led the Phillies to a 3-2 win over the Marlins. As the AP said in their recap of the game, "Howard hit a two-run drive in the sixth and a solo shot in the eighth for his seventh multihomer game this season." He's got 56 dingers on the season now and is essentially carrying the rest of the Phillies offense on his back. How could you NOT vote for him at this point?

[Lefty Noob]

Here's the latest on Ryan Howard, straight from the Associated Press.

ABC News: Howard Hits No. 58; Phillies Top Marlins
By ROB MAADDI
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA Sep 22, 2006 (AP)— Ryan Howard is making the most of the few pitches he gets to see. Howard connected for his major league-leading 58th homer, Cole Hamels pitched 6 2-3 strong innings and the Philadelphia Phillies continued their playoff push with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Marlins on Friday night.

Howard moved closer toward becoming the sixth player to ever reach 60 homers when he lined a three-run shot off Ricky Nolasco into the seats in left-center in the third inning.

Well, in my eyes he is the MVP, but I'd love to hear some dissenting opinions.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Here's the latest on Ryan Howard, straight from the Associated Press.



Well, in my eyes he is the MVP, but I'd love to hear some dissenting opinions.

It may be a case of ripping him off with the old...he is young...he will have plenty of chances later on...

[wedge]

Hard to argue with his numbers, but look at those numbers since the Break.

In 68 games, he has hit 30 hrs and 72 rbi while hitting .361. All the while helping the Phillies surge into the Wildcard lead.

He has my vote.