A few new names join the first 2022 MLB award watch for September.
American League MVP
1. Aaron Judge, Yankees
Judge had three more homers since last week and is up to 51 on the season, and he leads the league in the major hitting categories for a division leader. He remains at No. 1.
2. Shohei Ohtani, Angels
Meanwhile, Ohtani is basically top ten in many hitting and pitching statistical leaderboards, and he’d be the runaway favorite most years (like when he won AL MVP last season). While Judge is the clear betting favorite, this should be a two-horse race with a close vote if they both continue performing during the final month.
3. Jose Ramirez, Guardians
The distant No. 3 is close, but Ramirez gets back into the top three after Yordan Alvarez held the position for weeks. Ramirez has helped the Guardians take the AL Central lead in recent weeks, and he’s second behind Judge in RBI (106).
National League MVP
1. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
Goldschmidt had a relatively down week and struck out five times over a two-game span, but look for the favorite to do some damage versus the Cubs and Nats coming up.
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
It’s very close for No. 2 and No. 3 in the NL MVP race, but Freeman remains here considering his durability and consistency for an exceptional Dodgers club.
3. Mookie Betts, Dodgers
Austin Riley homered in back-to-back games and remains in the mix for the top three, but Betts had five homers in the past seven games (giving him 32 on the season) and is up to 101 runs scored with a month to go.
American League Cy Young
1. Justin Verlander, Astros
Verlander unfortunately had to leave his last start after three tremendous innings (no runs, six strikeouts). Hopefully the calf injury is just minor and the veteran righty can return soon.
2. Shane McClanahan, Rays
McClanahan threw six shutout innings in his last start on August 24, but now he’s also on the IL after being scratched due to a shoulder injury a couple of days ago. The hope is it’s nothing major for McClanahan, but he probably can’t afford to miss much time to make a Cy Young push—though an eye toward a potential postseason berth will be seen as more important.
3. Dylan Cease, White Sox
Cease went eight innings with eight strikeouts, and his only two runs allowed were by the long ball. The White Sox starter is behind only Gerrit Cole in strikeouts in the American League, and the injuries to Verlander and McClanahan could create an opening for him to make this a very close race if he can get hot.
National League Cy Young
1. Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers
On the National League side, the Cy Young leader also lands on the IL (hopefully with a minor injury), as Gonsolin is still dealing with forearm tightness. The stellar campaign is on pause, but the current numbers (16-1, 2.10 ERA, 0.86 WHIP) are obviously Cy Young worthy.
2. Sandy Alcantara, Marlins
Alcantara bounced back from his poor outing against the Dodgers and went ahead and threw a complete game in his follow-up start against LA, basically carrying his team to a victory. The 26-year-old could certainly be in the top spot right now.
3. Kyle Wright, Braves
Mets closer Edwin Diaz was clutch to secure a series win against the Dodgers, but Wright gets into the top three after his ninth consecutive outing of at least six innings. Wright has allowed three runs over the past 26 innings and now leads the MLB in wins (17-5).