When the biggest National League division lead belongs to the New York Mets, who lead the Philadelphia Phillies by a mere 2.5 games, division titles are up for grabs. With two weeks left in the regular season, now is the time for MVP candidates to show their merit.
Unlike 2006, in which Albert Pujols and Ryan Howard were the only real contenders, the 2007 season has several qualified candidates, each boasting exceptional stats. Last season, Howard, the reigning NL MVP, led the majors with 58 home runs, 149 RBI and 383 total bases and was a fairly clear favorite for the title.
This year, however, there's no clear-cut frontrunner for the award. Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies currently leads the league with 122 RBI and the majors with 84 extra-base hits. His .334 batting average is second in the NL only to Chipper Jones' .339. Holiday also belted seven home runs and has 12 RBI since Sept. 9, but as his team is 6.5 games out of first place and only five games over .500, chances are slim that they will make the playoffs.
But do playoff chances really impact MVP candidacy? Howard's Phillies ended the 2006 season 12 games over .500 and were playoff contenders down the stretch. Much of that success s due to Howard, who led the majors in the three offensive categories.
But in 1999, Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals led the National League in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage, though his team finished in fourth place and 11 games under .500. Jones won the MVP award that year, despite finishing the year with 20 fewer home runs, 30 fewer RBI and a lower slugging percentage, but his team won the division and finished with the best record in the majors.
Team performance does seem to play a role in MVP selection, and without a single front-running player, it will likely factor in this season.
David Wright, third baseman for the Mets, is a valid MVP contender from a likely postseason team. Wright, batting .313 with 30 home runs and 31 steals in 36 stolen base attempts, has arguably been the most consistent player on his team this season. Since the All-Star break, he is hitting .344 and posting career-high power numbers. Though Wright, unlike Holliday, isn't among the league leaders in any offensive category, his team has realistic playoff aspirations.
Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies shortstop, leads the National League with 18 triples and 129 runs scored. He also has 82 extra-base hits - two shy of Holliday's league-leading 84. Rollins is batting .297 and has 28 home runs on the year to go along with his 36 stolen bases.
But are these truly MVP-caliber numbers? The power numbers and extra-base hits are impressive, but he is hitting under .300 and his .348 on-base percentage is average, if that, for a leadoff hitter.
Hanley Ram?rez of the Florida Marlins is batting .333 with a .390 OBP, has 50 stolen bases and matches Rollins' 28 home runs. He ranks second in the league in runs scored and is tied for third place with Rollins in hits. However, Ram?rez is another player whose chances will probably suffer on account of his team's poor record, as the Marlins are 20 games under .500 and in last place in their division.
Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers, with his league-leading 46 homers and 100 RBI, is also a player to consider. However, since the All-Star break, his power numbers have decreased as he has struggled at the plate. The Brewers are still clinging to their playoff hopes, however, trailing the Chicago Cubs by one game in the NL Central race. If they make the playoffs, that could win Fielder some votes.
Among the aforementioned MVP contenders, Holliday appears to be the most deserving. Having a career year, he is on pace to finish the season in the top five in home runs, RBI, batting average, runs, hits and extra base hits.
But in a race this crowded, the only thing for certain is uncertainty itself. The MVP is anyone's for the taking.
