Trout's only chance is if he hits HR in every game (many in the 9th inning) the rest of the season and the Angels leapfrog into the WC due to his heroics.  It's Donaldson's award, even though they are hardly distinguishable on the season (except by Runs, RBI, and wins - all team stats).

There is simply no way anyone else should beat Harper for NL MVP.  Period.

Be fun if he and Trout both won.  Will Trout win?

But, Dawson had the narrative - he offered the Cubs a blank contract with his signature on it - breaking the collusion agreement.  

Oh, yeah, and Tim Raines missed the first month of the season due to the same collusion and came in 7th.

He's on the verge on winning the rate stats quadruple crown. Leads in avg by 7; OB% by 7; Slug% by 97; OPS by 125. Andre Dawson wasn't nearly that good in 1987 NL MVP on a last place team season.

Despite the Nationals slide, and probably not making the postseason, he has to be the NL MVP, right?

I, of course am rooting for McCutchen, but the numbers for Harper are just so good.

The good and the bad of Bryan Harper are both seen on this play. The good: endless hustle. The bad: not always very smart hustle.

There were two outs. Taking third if the runner is safe at first doesn't really gain that much.

Then again, when the third baseman misses the ball there is for sure no force play at second. Dietrich should have peeled off.

And if he had peeled off and the runner had beaten the throw, Harper standing on third would have charged the batteries of an all but dead team. To point out he tends to be reckless is simply to point out his obvious flaw. Probably his only flaw. Without getting into any issues about his personality.

While talking to my father tonight he says, (paraphrasing)

I usually don't like young cocky players, but Harper's father was an iron worker in Las Vegas.  He riveted structural beams and welded rebar in 100' heat.  Harper has talent and knows it, but he also knows what it is to work hard, because he saw his father do what he did.

Exits with injury

Moving the discussion here.

I get that team chemistry is important, but isn't the Nationals losing streak pretty pitcher related.

In fifteen games, the Nats have scored 3, 3, 4, 4, and >4 another 11 times.

Unless he's jogging in the outfield, how is this his fault?

If the team wasn't scoring because he wouldn't (fill in the blank with baseball strategy that might hurt your own stats) then that would make sense.

Q: What's the cure for an ailing Bryce Harper right glute?

A: Atlanta Braves pitching

This weekend 7-11 9 R 2 2b 3 HR 5 RBI 7 BB or a slash line of .636/.778/1.636 and 2.414 OPS