If the Phillies win the wild card, does anyone think Ryan Howard will get the NL MVP honors? I think he should. He's had an amazing season, really carrying the Phillies on his back.
I must say I'm extremely impressed with Howard this year; when people were talking about him hitting 50+ dongs, I sorta laughed- I mean the guy hit what, .160 against lefty pitching last year? But he's making me eat crow, and having one helluva year. The only way I'd give him the MVP is if he indeed leads Philly to the Wild Card, and even then it's still a tight race between he, Pujols and Beltran. Pujols is the best hitter in baseball, and Beltran is the most productive player on the best team in the NL, so he's up against some serious competition, but I really like the way he's forced his way into the equation and taken the team on his shoulders.
I think he's got a legit shot. If he winds up htting 60 HRs and driving in close to 150 RBI, both of which he has a very feasible shot at doing, and his squad makes the playoffs, it's going to be very tough to argue against him. Hell, if he puts those numbesr up and doesn't make the playoffs, it's still tought to not give it to him. If he doesn't get it, I think it'll be Pujols. While I personally think either Beltran or Reyes deserve it more than him, they're going to take votes away from eachother.
I dont think anyone else in the NL is even close to him for MVP. The guys amazing...he's had a record breaking season and I think he deserves it.
