END OF SEASON AWARDS
AL MVP: Josh Donaldson, 3B Toronto- Easy call.
NL MVP: Jake Arrieta, P Chicago - Not so easy call. If Harper’s team was even close to the playoffs he’d win, but it isn’t. If Yoenis Cespedes played more than 60 games in the NL his offensive push would have won him the award.
AL CY YOUNG: Dallas Kuechel, P Houston - A two man duel between him and David Price. Kuechel was just better the entire season with 20 wins and a microscopic WHIP of 1.01 and an enormous WAR of 7.3.
NL CY YOUNG: Arrieta, Chicago- The Cubs wouldn’t be where they are without his season long dominance on the mound. Jon Lester has been average and the production falls off a cliff after him from the other starters. Zack Grienke would have probably won in any other year.
AL ROOKIE OF YEAR: Carlos Correa, SS Houston- No brainer so much so I almost forgot he was a rookie at all.
NL ROOKIE OF YEAR: Kris Bryant, 3B Chicago- No brainer, stellar defense at the hot corner along with a consistent bat with 26 homers and a .370 OBP. He edges Joc Pederson from Dodgers due to 2nd half slump pushing his average down to barely above .200.
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Bannister, Texas- They were competitive throughout the season and got hot to make a division winning push despite not having several starting pitchers available during the season. Cole Hamels coming over and going 6-1 to stand behind Colby Lewis’s breakout 17 win season.
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Joe Maddon, Chicago Cubs- Taking that cast of talent-young talent, and becoming sharks in the water sets them up for a long run of success. Having a Cy Young pitcher leading your staff helps too.
Post Season Take:
AL Wild card: Yankees over Astros
NL Wild card: Cubs over Pirates
AL Division Series: Toronto over Texas, New York over Kansas City
NL Division Series: LA Dodgers over Mets, Chicago over St. Louis
AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Toronto over New York
NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES: Dodgers over Cubs
WORLD SERIES WINNER: Dodgers over Blue Jays
