By Mike Rifkin
At the All-Star Break, here is how I would vote for each award.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
MVP : Cal Raleigh – Mariners : Raleigh already has surpassed his career high with 38 homers at the break. His slash line is not that of Aaron Judge, but his .259/.376/.634 line is respectable. He also is second in OPS, only trailing Judge. But the most impressive thing about Raleigh is he is doing this while catching everyday. Other Candidate : Aaron Judge (Yankees)
CY YOUNG : Tarik Skubal – Tigers : The Tigers have the best record in baseball (more on that later), and Skubal is a major part of that. Skubal is in the top ten in wins, ERA, Strikeouts and WHIP. Skubal is also looking for his second consecutive Pitching Triple Crown. Other Candidates : Max Fried (Yankees), Garrett Crochet (Red Sox)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR : AJ Hinch – Tigers : If I asked you before the season, who would have the best record in baseball at the break, how many people would say the Detroit Tigers? Answer is probably not many, and the man in charge deserves a ton of credit. The Tigers are getting contributions from everyone and that’s a credit to Hinch. Other Candidates : Joe Espada (Astros), John Schneider (Blue Jays), Alex Cora (Red Sox)
NATIONAL LEAGUE
MVP : Pete Crow -Armstrong – Cubs : I’ll be honest I really just didn’t want to hand another MVP to Ohtani, so I looked for someone as deserving. The Cubs have had a fantastic first half and this 23 year old sensation has been a big reason why. Crow-Armstrong has 25 homers and 71 RBI, to go with a slash line of .265/.302/.544 with 27 stolen bases, while playing a great Center Field. (All Met fans reminder to thank Zack Scott). Other candidates : Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers), Pete Alonso (Mets)
CY YOUNG : Zack Wheeler – Phillies – Wheeler has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since joining the Phillies, but has yet to win a CY Young award. In the first half Wheeler has posted a 9-3 record with a 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and 154 strikeouts all in the top ten in baseball. He has a 3.7 strikeout to walk ratio as well. He’s having this kinda season without his partner in crime in Aaron Nola, who has been hurt, but really struggled beforehand. Other candidates : Logan Webb (Giants), Paul Skenes (Pirates), Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR : Craig Counsell – Cubs : Every year the Central divisions are guess work. But nobody thought the Cubs would have the second best record in the NL, just a half game behind the Dodgers. But they’re doing this with Justin Steele out with Tommy John surgery and Shota Imanaga missed time with a hamstring injury, those were the top two starters for the Cubs last season. Counsell is doing a tremendous job. Other candidates : Pat Murphy(Brewers), Carlos Mendoza (Mets)
The Sports Insanity Network 