With Opening Day turning into more of an Opening Week, let’s take a look at who the front-runners are for each major award entering the MLB season: AL MVP
Front-runner: Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) » Last year’s AL batting champ now has Prince Fielder hitting behind him, and the Tigers are expected to run away with the AL Central. Cabrera has finished in the top five in MVP voting five times but has never won.
Examiner predicts: Jose Bautista (Blue Jays) » The last two seasons, Bautista has led the league in home runs. In 2011, he also hit above .300 for the first time in his career. If the Blue Jays can make a playoff run, Bautista would finally add the missing component to his MVP resume: team success.
AL Cy Young
Front-runner: Justin Verlander (Tigers) » After winning the pitching Triple Crown — leading the AL in wins (24), ERA (2.40) and strikeouts (250) — the Tigers’ ace is the favorite to repeat.
Examiner predicts: David Price (Rays) » Despite an increase in strikeouts and a decrease in his WHIP from 2010 to 2011, Price went from going 19-6 to 12-13 last year, and his ERA ballooned from 2.72 to 3.49. Expect the win-loss record and ERA to revert back to the 2010 figures.
NL MVP
Front-runner: Matt Kemp (Dodgers) » The Dodgers center fielder nearly won the NL Triple Crown last year (finishing third in batting average) and was one home run shy of becoming the fifth member of the 40-40 club. Somehow that didn’t result in winning the MVP.
Examiner predicts: Kemp » With Albert Pujols and Fielder now in the AL and Ryan Braun’s MVP seemingly tainted, Kemp will be the easy winner.
NL Cy Young
Front-runner: Roy Halladay (Phillies) » No pitcher has been as consistent as Halladay, who will be making his 10th straight Opening Day start. The righty has finished in the top five in Cy Young voting for six straight years.
Examiner predicts: Tim Lincecum (Giants) » The Giants need to help the righty out by winning more. Lincecum has had a sub-3.00 ERA in three of the last four seasons.
– Jeffrey Tomik
