As expected, the races for the major MLB awards remain very competitive early in the season.

 

American League MVP

 

1. Mike Trout, Angels

A four-strikeout game earlier this week was a ding to Trout’s early-season numbers, but he’s still second in the MLB in OPS (1.118) behind teammate Taylor Ward—who also deserves mentioning along with Shohei Ohtani for the first-place Angels.

 

2. Jose Ramirez, Guardians

Ramirez kept his cushion for the AL lead in RBI (29) with four more over the past week, and he also comfortably tops the majors in the category over Nolan Arenado and C.J. Cron (23 each). Cleveland needs others to step up in a competitive AL Central.

 

3. Aaron Judge, Yankees

The strikeout numbers remain high for Judge, but it won’t matter if he continues driving in runs at an insane rate (13 RBI over the past six games). The former AL MVP is setting himself up for a massive payday ahead of free agency.

 

National League MVP

 

1. Manny Machado, Padres

Machado jumps a spot to the top of the NL race with a .374 average, along with MLB-highs in hits (37), runs scored (25), and WAR (2.5). His play is a big reason for San Diego keeping pace with the Dodgers through a little over a month.

 

2. Nolan Arenado, Rockies

Arenado’s average dropped a bit (from .382 this time last week to .348 now), but the five-RBI game on Wednesday puts him atop the NL in the category.

 

3. Eric Hosmer, Padres

A red-hot .391 average with runners in scoring position for Hosmer has helped Manny Machado’s numbers, and it’s also resulted in 12 RBI over the past nine games.

 

American League Cy Young

 

1. Justin Verlander, Astros

The early-season race is very tight for the Cy Young award in both leagues, but Verlander stays in the top spot with a 0.70 WHIP. Even with some runs allowed in recent outings, the 39-year-old has pitched 6.0+ innings in every appearance since the opener.

 

2. Logan Gilbert, Mariners

Gilbert very well could have been given the top spot this week—as he’s allowed just two earned runs in 28.0 innings for an ERA of 0.64. We’re still waiting for him to go consistently deeper in games, though, which gives the edge to Verlander.

 

3. Alek Manoah, Blue Jays

Again, it’s a tightening race, but a 4-0 record, 1.45 ERA, and 0.84 WHIP keeps Manoah in the No. 3 spot. He did his part in Toronto’s 9-1 loss to the Yankees earlier this week with 6.0 innings with one earned run allowed.

 

National League Cy Young

 

1. Max Scherzer, Mets

Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies getting to Scherzer for some long balls on Sunday night impacted his numbers—but not enough to get a loss (4-0 record). “Mad Max” is striking out 12.2 batters per nine innings.

 

2. Carlos Rodon, Giants

Rodon is above Scherzer in strikeouts per nine innings (12.7), but he only fanned three in six innings against the Dodgers to pick up his first loss of the year. Still, the Giants must be thrilled with the early returns of a pitcher that clearly found something last year for the White Sox (2.37 ERA in 24 starts).

 

3. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers

Kershaw being back here feels right, and he’s tied with Justin Verlander for the MLB lead in WHIP (0.70). The three-time Cy Young winner has 30 strikeouts with just two walks allowed through four starts.