OWNED! Reflections of the Pre All-Star Break Season

If the Mariners didn't suck, I would stick with Hernandez. I probably would have done the same thing with Sizemore for MVP. But I know how the BBWA vote and what they like to see. I can see the voters giving some love to Halladay (especially if he keeps firing complete games), but in the end, I see the award going to John Lackey or super-surprise John Danks. Predictions: John Lackey.  

Rookie of the Year to date 

Evan Longoria—Fewer then four weeks ago, by my own admission, Jacoby Ellsbury, had made too wide of a gap with his outstanding play in April for Longoria to make up the difference. Well, Longoria officially put his name on the map with a fantastic series against the Red Sox to further cement his position as the best first-year player.  

My preseason pick has officially fallen off the face of the earth. Philip Humber has essentially lost all of the value that he entered this season with, and he is unlikely to get called up this season, let alone perform at a high-enough level to overtake Longoria. My bad.

Rookie of the Year by seasons end 

Longoria started running away with the award and has become a major factor for the Rays this season. His defensive play has been a Godsend for one of the major's best defensive teams. Ellsbury appears to be turning things around, but the Red Sox will begin to minimize his work again once David Ortiz returns in a couple of weeks. The BBWA have fallen in love with Longoria, thus Prediction: Evan Longoria. 

National League

MVP to date 

Lance Berkman—Aside from the steals, Berkman isn't doing a whole lot that he hasn't done previously in his career. If one forgets last season's ice cold start, Berkman's current season looks a lot like last year's second half. The big surprise, however, comes with the fact that Berkman is 32-years old. He isn't supposed to age like this.  

Behind Berkman is Albert Pujols, followed by super-surprise Edinson Volquez

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