In MLB there are a couple players who have upped their game in the second of the season. The second half of the season consists of play after the All Star game. Joey Votto, first baseman of the Cincinnati Reds has been on fire hitting .391 with 12 home runs and 28 runs batted in. Votto's on base percentage is a pretty impressive .571 (which is just about over half the time he comes to plate). All of which is impressive as has been Chicago Cubs starter Jake Arrieta who was good in the first half, but has been absolutely dominant in the second half to the tune of a 0.91 era in 10 starts since the break. Both of these guys should be in the conversation for their respective awards with Votto going for the MVP and Arrieta going for the Cy Young, but neither one should win it. A case can be made that NY Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes should be in consideration for NL MVP, but unfortunately for him he started the season in the AL and only once in the history of MVP voting has a player switched leagues and won that league's MVP award and Cespedes isn't about to be the second. Will Cespedes get votes? Yes, will he win the award? In my opinion, no.
Both Zack Greinke and Jacob DeGrom have been atop most of the pitching categories all season as have Paul Goldschmidt and Bryce Harper have lead most or all offensive categories in the National League throughout the season. Goldschmidt and Greinke are my picks for their respective awards, but with Votto and Arrieta's performances in the second half, especially with Arrieta potentially going to the playoffs with the Cubs, both teams have something to look forward to toward next year. If Votto can carry this momentum into next season the Reds will be in better position to compete in the playoffs with their season being down the drain. In Arrieta's case if he can carry his momentum into this seasons playoffs the Cubs will be in better position to make a run to a world championship.
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