Case for AL MVP

      This race might be the tightest race in recent memory. Two guys stand out above most others. Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have separated themselves from the rest of the American League and the chase for Most Valuable Player is a two-horse race. It comes down to a 21-year-old phenom, and a player chasing the Triple Crown. Other players like Josh Hamilton, Derek Jeter, and Robinson Cano deserve recognition but not one of those players compare to the seasons of Trout and Cabrera. Here is the case for Cabrera and Trout winning the American League MVP:

Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera blasts his second home run of the night against the Athletics

He has officially jumped Mike Trout for the MVP award. This guy does everything and everything exceptionally well. Yes the Tigers are not winning the division but Miguel Cabrera is doing everything in his power to get his team past the White Sox. He is putting up numbers people have not seen in a long time. He may very well become the first Triple Crown winner since Carl Yastrzemski did it in 1967. Cabrera is not only heating up, he is heating up at the perfect time as his team is making a push for the playoffs. Cabrera owns a 6.5 wins above replacement (WAR) which ranks fourth in the AL. Cabrera’s numbers are ridiculous this season leading the American League in batting average (.333), runs batted in (130), slugging percentage (.613), and on-base percentage (1.011). He is also only one home run away from Josh Hamilton’s league leading 42. If he surpasses Hamilton and wins the Triple Crown, leading the league in home runs, runs batted in, and average, he will be the clear-cut winner for Most Valuable Player. If he doe not win the Triple Crown, Cabrera still has the numbers and should still be crowned MVP.

Mike Trout

Mike Trout makes one of the greatest catches ever just showing how great of a fielder he is

Just having his name in the discussion for MVP at the young age of 21 years old is an accomplishment. Winning it would put Mike Trout in elite company. This kid is putting up numbers like he has been in the league for ten years; however, he did not even get called up until April 28. Instantly, Trout made the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim a better team and that showed in their record. The Angels, like the Tigers, are battling for a playoff spot and at this point the Angels are in a tough position but that is not because of Trout. Trout has been constantly putting up huge numbers this season. Trout is second in the American league in batting average (.327), trailing only Cabrera. He has also hit 27 home runs to go along with 77 runs batted in. Though those do not seem like MVP caliber stats, Trout is more than just a power hitter. He also has eight triples and 46 stolen bases, the most in the AL. With the 46 stolen bases, Mike has only been thrown out four times. His defense however is what separates him from Cabrera and every other player in the MVP race. He has made spectacular play after spectacular play. Trout also leads the American League with a 10.52 WAR, and a 7.8 offensive WAR. This kid means more to his team then Miguel Cabrera and when you factor in everything else, Mike Trout might very well be your 2012 American League Most Valuable Player.

Tyler Fiedler

Time For Panic?

        With yet another Yankees loss today and an Orioles win, the Yankees lead in the American League East is down to one. It is no secret that the Yankees have been struggling mightily of late and it is no secret that the Orioles have been very hot and a very big surprise. The Yankees have seen their ten game lead dwindle and all but disappear. Without a doubt it is time for Yankee fans and for the New York Yankees to panic. The Baltimore Orioles are not going away and have been one of the best stories in baseball this season. The Tampa Bay Rays are not going away as well as they always seem to get hot and make things very interesting in September. These three teams will be battling it out the rest of the month as the Yankees will have five more games against Tampa Bay and four games against Baltimore in Baltimore. 
         The Yankees struggles are far and many. They have a plethora of injuries to the biggest names on their team, their bullpen is struggling, and they can not hit with runners in scoring position. The Yankees have lost Mariano Rivera, Brett Gardner, Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Ivan Nova and Curtis Granderson all to injury. Alex has come back and Granderson is expected back tomorrow but when your two, four, and five hitters are all hurt, it will affect any lineup. Yet, the Yankees have had plenty of opportunities to blow games open or take leads late. They just have not been able to capitalize with big hits. Right now,  the Yankees are playing their worst baseball of the season, by far. They need to get everyone healthy and they need to pick up their play. Right now, for all Yankee fans, it is scary seeing a very comfortable lead go down to just one game. Their pitching has not been good and when it has, they are not scoring enough runs. No doubt a healthy Yankees team will make the playoffs but will this team? If they do not get these injured players back and back soon, Yankee fans might look at the standings and see their team in second or third place. 
         With all the injured players back for the playoffs, will the Yankees be another first round flop? The way this team has hit with runners in scoring position, and in the clutch, it is hard to win playoff games. The Yankees are the only team in Major League Baseball this season to not have won a game when trailing after eight innings. Nothing for the Yankees is clicking right now. They must figure everything out soon or else they could be playing golf a little bite earlier than what Yankee fans are used to.