Congratulations to the National League for winning the All-Star Game for the first time since 1996 thanks to great pitching and clutch hitting by Braves catcher Brian McCann. Whoever wins the National League pennant will have home field advantage in the World Series for the first-time since 1999.
American League MVP
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
At the halfway point Cabrera finished with a Triple Crown. It will be hard for him to finish the season that way but he will continue to be the most productive hitter in the AL.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.346 22 77 .423 .651
Robinson Cano, Yankees
It is not easy to stand out in the Yankees lineup but Cano has been the team’s most consistent hitter.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.336 16 58 .389 .556
Vladimir Guerrero, Rangers
Vlad is on a tear as he has already eclipsed his home run and RBI totals from last year. He is however a designated hitter and has Josh Hamilton in the same lineup.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.319 20 75 .364 .554
Josh Hamilton, Rangers
Hamilton is also chasing the Triple Crown however I think Cabrera has a better chance of finishing first in BA, HR and RBI’s. Hamilton is a huge reason why the Rangers are first place in the AL West.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.346 22 64 .390 .625
Justin Morneau, Twins
The Twins have been sliding in the last month but that is not due to Morneau’s lack of production. He did however miss the last four games before the All-Star break with a concussion.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.345 18 56 .437 .618
My Take: Miguel Cabrera
National League MVP
Andre Ethier, Dodgers
Ethier was the first Dodger outfielder since 1991 to be selected to an All-Star Game.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.324 14 54 .379 .553
Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego
Gonzalez is the heart and soul of the Padres offense. Remember when it was only a matter of time before he would be traded?
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.301 18 56 .397 .533
Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies
Yes, a pitcher for the MVP. How good would the Rockies be without Jimenez? He is the first pitcher since 2000 to have 15 wins at the All-Star break.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
2.20 15-1 113 3 2 .198
Joey Votto, Reds
Votto is a big reason why the Reds are in first place and the NL’s highest scoring offence. He leads the NL in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and shares the home run lead.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.314 22 60 .422 .589
David Wright, Mets
The Mets would not have climbed back into contention if not for Wright. He is tied for the NL lead in RBI’s however he does have 97 strikeouts.
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.314 14 65 .392 .532
My Take: Joey Votto
American League Cy Young
David Price, Rays
Price leads the AL in ERA and wins and has been the best pitcher on the Rays roster.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
2.42 12-4 100 2 1 .223
Cliff Lee, Mariners/Rangers
Lee’s strikeout rate and complete games are impressive but the fact that he did it while with the Mariners who have one of the league’s worst offenses is Cy Young worthy.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
2.64 8-4 91 6 1 .233
Jon Lester, Red Sox
Lester has become the ace of the Red Sox this season with the lowest opponent’s batting average in the AL and 124 strikeouts.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
2.78 11-3 124 2 0 .203
My Take: David Price
National League Cy Young
Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies
Jimenez completely dominates all hitters he faces and has the most wins in the majors to go along with a no-hitter. He also had 33 consecutive scoreless innings earlier this season.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
2.20 15-1 113 3 2 .198
Josh Johnson, Marlins
Johnson leads the NL in ERA and although he has only nine wins his strikeout rate is notable.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
1.70 9-3 123 1 0 .203
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
Wainwright is second in the league in wins, ERA, innings and complete games.
ERA W-L SO CG SHO BAA
2.11 13-5 127 4 1 .213
My take: Ubaldo Jimenez
American League Manager of the First Half
Ozzie Guillen, White Sox (49-38, First in AL Central)
Jim Leyland, Tigers (48-38, Second in AL Central)
Ron Washington, Rangers (50-38, First in AL West)
My Take: Ron Washington
Not too many people will hold onto their job after it is leaked that you tested positive for cocaine. Most did not expect the Rangers to be as successful as they have been this year which is due in large part to Washington being manager.
National League Manager of the First Half
Dusty Baker, Reds (49-41, First place in NL Central)
Bud Black, Padres (51-37, First place in NL West)
Bobby Cox, Braves (52-36, First place in NL East)
My Take: Bud Black
I joked with my San Diego friends at the beginning of the season that they could field their Triple-A team in the majors and probably have a better record than the Padres roster. The Padres success this year has to do with Black using the small ball to his team’s advantage by using speed and defense to back up the great pitching on the team. The offense is still an issue but so long as the Padres get runners on-base Black will find a way to get them over and get them in for the run.
American League Rookie of the First Half
Brennan Boesch, Tigers
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.342 12 49 .397 .593
Neftali Feliz, Rangers
Saves SO
23 42
Austin Jackson, Tigers
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.300 1 20 .354 .40
My Take: Brennan Boesch
He leads all AL rookies in batting average, home runs and RBI’s. The Tigers are a half-game out of first place thanks to Boesch.
National League Rookie of the First Half
Jaime Garcia, Cardinals
ERA W-L SO WHIP
2.17 8-4 80 1.25
Jason Heyward, Braves
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.251 11 45 .366 .455
Buster Posey, Giants
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.350 7 25 .389 .569
Gaby Sanchez, Marlins
BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.302 9 38 .365 .467
My Take: Buster Posey
He was called up on May 31 and played first base even though his position was at catcher. He excelled nonetheless and since he became an everyday starter on July 1 at catcher he has been the Giants offensive force.
Original Story:
http://fansided.com/2010/07/14/major-...
