Who will win the Cy Young and MVP awards?

Who will win this year’s Cy Young and MVP awards in each league? We’re close to the end of the season with only one full month left. It’s clear that we already have some favorites, including a certain Miami Marlins ace. How are the races looking at this point? Which players are likely to get the awards? Which players still have a chance to win them? Is Sandy Alcantara still a lock to win the NL Cy Young?? Let’s dive in…

Sandy Alcantara is still the favorite to win the NL Cy Young award.

Let’s start with the AL Cy Young race. This one looks like it can be pretty competitive. Chicago White Sox’s Dylan Cease is having an amazing breakout year, but so is the Tampa Bay Rays’ Shane McClanahan. The Houston Astros add Justin Verlander to the mix and the Los Angeles Angels add two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. Still, Verlander has a 1.84 ERA and he’s 39. My guess is that Justin Verlander wins the award, but it’s very close.

The NL Cy Young race is far less competitive. In fact barring some insane voting, the winner has been clear for a while: Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. Sandy has 7.0 WAR, which makes this a Hall of Fame type of season for a starting pitcher, or well actually anyone with that WAR. There should be no debate or controversy, Sandy Alcantara should win the NL Cy Young award.

The AL MVP is another one-sided race. New York Yankees RF Aaron Judge almost won this award in 2017. Now is his chance to do it in his contract year. Aaron Judge has a Major League best 7.6 WAR. Yes 7.6. He’s also chasing the non-steroid single season home run record, as well as the AL home run record. The AL MVP should be rightfully his.

What about the NL MVP? This one is harder to call. I can make a case for Sandy Alcantara, as no player has been as important to his team of beats him in WAR in the NL. Pitchers rarely win MVP awards though, so it’s likely going to be someone else. St. Louis Cardinals 1B Paul Goldschmidt has a great chance, but the presence of teammate 3B Nolan Arenado makes it a wash for me. No one really stands out otherwise, San Diego Padres 3B Manny Machado comes to mind, but he isn’t even the best hitter on his team. I think that Goldy gets it, but it should be Sandy Alcantara. What do YOU think?