With BBRT\u2019s pick for the AL MVP out of the way – see the previous post on the very debatable junior circuit Most Valuable Player award \u2013 let\u2019s move on to BBRT’s look at the remaining regular-season recognitions.\u00a0 Not as much controversy here, but still plenty of good competition.<\/p>\n

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Buster Posey – BBRT choice for NL MVP.<\/p><\/div>\n

NL MVP \u2013 Buster Posey (Giants)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

BBRT sees a two-player race here and, surprisingly, both contenders make at least half their living in foul territory.\u00a0 BBRT\u2019s top candidates for NL MVP are catchers Buster Posey (SF) and Yadier Molina (St.L.).\u00a0 BBRT is going with Posey, based on a combination of timing and circumstance.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s look at Molina first.\u00a0 A Gold Glove performer (who tosses out about half of the opponents\u2019 potential base stealers), Molina put up some pretty gaudy offensive numbers for a backstop – .315, 22 HRs and 76 RBI.\u00a0 \u00a0His season was one of consistency:\u00a0 .304, 13, 45 before the All-Star break, .328-9-31 in the second half.\u00a0 Further, he called a great game and was a leader on the field.\u00a0 Clearly, he made strong contributions to St. Louis run to a Wild Card spot.<\/p>\n

BBRT\u2019s MVP choice, however, contributed even more to his team\u2019s results, helping lead the Giants to the West Division title (by 8 games over the Dodgers) despite the team\u2019s on-field injuries and off-field difficulties.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0Not only did Posey (like Molina) play the game\u2019s most mentally and physically demanding position, he put up a line of .336, 24 HRs and 103 RBI.\u00a0 In addition, Posey picked up the slack following Melky Cabrera\u2019s PED-related suspension.\u00a0 After a .289, 10 HR, 43 RBI first half, Posey delivered a .385 average with 14 HRs and 60 RBI after the break.\u00a0 Further, Melky C.\u2019s unfortunate (self-inflicted) circumstances, paved the way for Posey to become only the fourth catcher to win a league batting crown.\u00a0 \u00a0Ultimately, that strong (and much-needed) second-half push moves Posey ahead of Molina.<\/p>\n

AL Cy Young \u2013 David Price<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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David Price – Edges Out Verlander for BBRT’s AL Cy Young.<\/p><\/div>\n
Three starters dominated here \u2013 David Price, Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver.\u00a0 BBRT goes with Price, barely<\/strong><\/em> over Verlander (due primarily to Price\u2019s three extra wins) with Weaver dropping to third.\u00a0 Let\u2019s examine the competition.<\/p>\n
Weaver, despite his 20-5 record, drops off due to having the fewest starts, fewest innings pitched, fewest strikeouts and highest ERA of the three.\u00a0 Still he deserved consideration based on a 20-5 record, and 2.86 ERA.\u00a0 It was the sub-200 innings pitched (188 2\/3) and the less than dominating 142 strikeouts that put him third in this race.<\/p>\n
Now to the top two contenders.\u00a0 Verlander did lead the league in innings pitched and strikeouts (238 1\/3 IP, 239 Ks). Price was not far behind at 211 IP and 205 Ks.\u00a0 Verlander also led Price in starts, 33-31.\u00a0 Price, on the other hand, led the league in ERA at 2.56, with Verlander second at 2.64 and Weaver third at 2.86.\u00a0 Verlander also topped the AL in complete games with 6, to only 2 for Price (but today\u2019s game really is not about going nine innings anymore).\u00a0 Both pitchers logged 25 quality starts.\u00a0 Ultimately, this could go either way, but for BBRT it comes down to Price’s three extra victories (20-5 versus 17-8) and the fact that Price edged Verlander by winning 22% of TB’s games, while Verlander picked up 19% of the Tigers’ victories.\u00a0 BBRT can support either Price or Verlander, we just give the edge to tradition and the 20-game winner.<\/p>\n
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R.A. Dickey – Should Walk Off with NL Cy Young.<\/p><\/div>\n
NL Cy Young – R.A. Dickey<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/strong>This was a no-brainer for BBRT.\u00a0 Yes, we love Braves\u2019 closer Craig Kimbrel, 3-1 with 42 saves, a sparkling 1.01 ERA and a spectacular 116 strikeouts (and only 14 walks) in only 62 2\/3 innings.\u00a0 \u00a0And there\u2019s Gio Gonzalez of the Nationals, who was often buried in the Strasburg publicity and shut-down controversy, while quietly turning in a 21-8, 2.89 season with 207 K\u2019s in 199 innings pitched. \u00a0A lesser case could also be made for the Reds\u2019 Johnny Cueto (19-9, 2.78) and the Dodgers\u2019 Clayton Kershaw (14-9, 2.53), who came on strong; just too late.<\/p>\n
Hands down, however, the Cy Young has to go to the Mets\u2019 R.A. Dickey \u2013 who went 20 – 6, 2.73 with a Mets\u2019 team that had a faltering bullpen and finished 14 games under .500.\u00a0 Dickey led the NL in:\u00a0 Starts (33, tie); Innings Pitched (233 2\/3); Strikeouts (230, one more than Kershaw); Quality Starts (27); and Complete Games (5).\u00a0 He finished second in wins to Gonzalez\u2019 21 and second in ERA (at 2.73) to Kershaw\u2019s 2.53.\u00a0 And, Dickey walked only 54 against his 230 K\u2019s \u2013 unusual control for a knuckleballer.\u00a0 A great season, deserving of the Cy Young for a pitcher who came into 2012 with a career 41-50 record and a 4.34 ERA.<\/p>\n
Watch soon for BBRT\u2019s Rookie and Manager of the Year picks – and we invite your comments on the MVP and Cy Young.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With BBRT\u2019s pick for the AL MVP out of the way – see the previous post on the very debatable junior circuit Most Valuable Player award \u2013 let\u2019s move on to BBRT’s look at the remaining regular-season recognitions.\u00a0 Not as much controversy here, but still plenty of good competition. NL MVP \u2013 Buster Posey (Giants) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9,5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n