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National League MVP: Sizing up the MVP race

By Sarah Maninger

WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 17: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals are seen in the on-deck circle during the the 89th MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 17: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals are seen in the on-deck circle during the the 89th MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins receives a standing ovation after his final at-bat of the 2017 season during the ninth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins receives a standing ovation after his final at-bat of the 2017 season during the ninth inning of the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /

With September drawing closer by the day, and the postseason race underway, we take a look at players with the best chance to win this year’s national league MVP.

Both leagues are full of stars, but today we focus on the National League MVP – a league in which Matt Kemp went from average to far above it and Nolan Arenado is still one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball.

The National League MVP Race, however, is heating up, and there’s more than a few names in it.

Of course, there is the debate as to whether or not an MVP should come from a contender, but for the sake of the argument, let’s focus on the player’s production this season, rather than their team’s place in the standings.

Just like last season, when Giancarlo Stanton won the award but his team didn’t come close to a division title, we should look at the MVP race in terms of how well they played, not whether or not they are responsible for their team making it past October first.

Though I could write a mile long list of the strongest players in the National League this season, let’s focus on those who headline the race, broken down by division.

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