The Final Weekend and an MVP Pick

–Well, I went into tonight just looking for a loss from the Mets or the Brewers.  I would have been ecstatic if just one of them had lost but, alas, they both pulled out walk-off wins and the Phillies find themselves clinging to just a one-game lead in both the division and the wild card race.  This is not where I thought they would be as of one week ago but, on the other hand, if you had offered me this scenario at the beginning of the season, or even two weeks ago, I would’ve signed up.  Now the Phils (and the Mets) will have to deal with the rains all weekend, which could have them playing meaningful games into Monday.  Ideally, they’ll have the division won going into the final game and can save Cole Hamels for a Game 1 playoff start, but that’s getting ahead of ourselves at this point.  But, really, are we going to see this Mets team and this Brewers team step up and handle the pressure this weekend?  Well, let’s hope not.

–Ryan Howard has gotten all the buzz for NL MVP over the last week or two, and rightfully so.  He’s certainly carried the team to the division lead and has been clutch all season long, as mentioned in a New York Times article today.  But if I look at it objectively, I have to go with Albert Pujols for MVP.  Most pundits this year seem to be ruling him out because the Cardinals won’t be in the playoffs, but I’m not sure when that became a prerequisite for winning an MVP award.  Obviously, a team’s success enhances the MVP resume of any candidate, but the Cardinals have had a solid season and over-achieved by a lot, largely thanks to his .353 BA, 35 HR, and a ridiculous .458 OBP, which is more what you expect from Barry Bonds after a ‘roid binge.  I know, I know, it’s the most valuable player, not the best.  But hey, this is a team game, and just because the Phillies are better than the Cardinals doesn’t mean Pujols is less valuable than Howard.  In the end, I just don’t see how a guy that hits .248 and brings nothing to the table defensively can be the MVP.  Although, I will be hoping Howard gets it!

–I mentioned in my post a couple weeks ago that the division could come down to Pedro Martinez and Joe Blanton.  The Mets managed a win tonight despite another unimpressive outing from Pedro.  Blanton will take the ball tomorrow in a big spot for the Phils.  Here’s hoping the Nationals act like the Nationals.