Who Will Win the 2008 National League MVP Award?

As the stretch run of baseball season commences, the 2008 National League MVP chase is a two-horse race. Chase Utley of the Phillies and 2007 Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun have nearly identical statistics. The winner of the MVP award will likely go to the player whose team reaches the playoffs.

Brewers' sophomore third baseman Ryan Braun has blossomed into a premier offensive player during his short time in the majors. After posting a 1.000-plus OPS in his rookie season, Braun is once again hitting .300 with 30 home runs, 31 doubles, and ten stolen bases. He is leading the Brewers to the second best record in the National League with an excellent chance at their first playoff berth since 1982. The only criticism of Braun's game could be that he doesn't walk enough, but with his production numbers, MVP voters can easily overlook it.

The Philadelphia Phillies are trying to accomplish the rare feat of pulling in three consecutive MVP Awards. Ryan Howard won in 2006, Jimmy Rollins in 2007, and in 2008 second baseman Chase Utley is making a strong case for his candidacy. Utley is tied for third in the NL in home runs with 30, sixth in OPS at .939, and eighth in RBI with 83. He has also stolen ten bases in eleven attempts and 33 doubles. Utley's Phillies are in a very tight playoff race with the Phillies, Mets, and Marlins all within two games of each other in the NL East. Should Philadelphia come out on top, Utley should be neck-and-neck with Braun for the 2008 NL MVP award.

Matt Holliday's Rockies are almost certainly going to miss the playoffs, but he has arguably been the best overall offensive player in the NL in 2008. Holliday is second to only Chipper Jones in batting average with a mark of .346; he is also one of only four players hitting for an OPS of better than 1.000. Beyond his work with the bat, Holliday has stolen 17 bases against only one caught stealing. However, he will face both the obstacle of his team's performance and the hitter-friendly nature of his home ballpark. Holliday has an OPS of 1.117 at home and .917 on the road; overall, Coors Field has played as the second biggest hitters' park in baseball this year.