2011 MLB MVP Award: Ranking the Top 5 Candidates in Each League

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NEW YORK, NY - MAY 14: Adrian Gonzalez #28 (L) and Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox warm up before playing the New York Yankees on May 14, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Candidates for the 2011 NL and AL MVP include All-Stars, players on losing teams, and pitchers.

With such a wide pool of talent and over a month left in the regular season, it is nearly impossible to predict the MVP of each league correctly.

However, it is never too early to start speculating. Ahead are the top five candidates for each league as well as a few that just missed the mark.

American League Honorable Mentions

BOSTON - AUGUST 16: Dustin Pedroia #15 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after the Red Sox turn a triple play against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning in the second game of a doubleheader at Fenway Park on August 16, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Pho

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

10. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

9. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox

8. Michael Young, Texas Rangers

7. Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

6. Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

AL No. 5: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 16: Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers pitche in the third inning while playing the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park on August 16, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Justin Verlander is one of those guys who makes you think differently about the separation between the Cy Young and MVP awards.

The right-handed pitcher owns a 2.28 ERA and AL-leading 19-5 record. His pitching stats perch him atop the Cy Young race, but his 7.4 WAR adds to his most-valuable candidacy.

No pitcher has won the MVP honors since Dennis Eckersley in 1992. Verlander is a definite possibility to follow his lead.

AL No. 4: Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Infielder Adrian Gonzalez #28 of the Boston Red Sox fouls off a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on July 15, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

J. Meric/Getty Images

It doesn’t take much to explain why Adrian Gonzalez is an AL MVP candidate. Even with his recent “slump,” Gonzalez’s .348 batting average is the highest in the majors.

He has 102 RBI and on Tuesday, he hit two home runs in a game to bring his total up to 23 so far on the season.

AL No. 3: Jacoby Ellsbury, Boston Red Sox

BOSTON - AUGUST 16: Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox watches his three-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays in the third inning at Fenway Park on August 16, 2011 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Jacoby Ellsbury is another member of the Red Sox up for the AL MVP. He currently has a .312/.369/.516 stat line with 23 home runs and 81 RBI.

These stats are from a leadoff hitter as well, which makes the numbers all the more impressive.

Ellsbury has been in plenty of MVP talk and could certainly be the winner by the end of the season.

AL No. 2: Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 05: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays warms up before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 5, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

MVP voting does not take kindly to those on teams missing the postseason. Jose Bautista has done pretty much all he can to show his worth to his team and the league.

He has an OPS of 1.109 which is the highest throughout the majors. He also leads the American League with 37 home runs so far.

If any player was going to break the pattern of playoff-bound MVPs, Jose Bautista would be that guy.

AL No. 1: Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 21: Curtis Granderson #14 of the New York Yankees celebrates an inside the park home run against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning on August 21, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Gett

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Curtis Granderson's .278 batting average does nothing to scream MVP. However when his stats are inspected a bit more closely, it's clear he deserves to be the front-runner.

He leads the league in triples and RBI and is only one home run shy of leader Jose Bautista. He's excellent both at the plate and in center field.

Granderson is having the type of season that puts him right in the front of MVP candidates.

National League Honorable Mentions

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to a pitch during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on August 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images)

Garrett Ellwood/Getty Images

10. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

9. Jose Reyes, New York Mets

8. Shane Victorino, Philadelphia Phillies

7. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

6. Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

NL No. 5: Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 21: Starting pitcher Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws to a Washington Nationals batter during the fourth inning at Nationals Park on August 21, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Roy Halladay is another pitcher who could get a few MVP nods. He leads the National League with a 6.9 WAR and is currently 15-5 with 182 strikeouts and a 2.56 ERA.

Last season, he finished sixth in MVP voting and could make another run at it.

NL No. 4: Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 14: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds waits to bat during the game against the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park on August 14, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The reigning NL MVP has had another great season. Joey Votto leads the National League in OPS and owns a batting average of .328 with 24 home runs and 84 RBI.

While the Cincinnati Reds are nowhere near the place they were last season in regards to standings, Votto has once again shown his worth to his team.

NL No. 3: Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 24: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers rounds third base on his way to scoring a run against St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on August 24, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

If the Dodgers were in playoff contention, Matt Kemp would be receiving much more MVP publicity.

He ranks among the top of the National League in batting average, OPS, and stolen bases, among others. He has the second most RBI. As history goes, though, the MVP generally comes from a playoff-bound team.

Kemp could improve his chances with continued success in August and an explosive September.

NL No. 2: Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX, AZ - AUGUST 12: Justin Upton #10 of the Arizona Diamondbacks and his teammates celebrate his first inning home run against the New York Mets at Chase Field on August 12, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Norm Hall/Getty Images

Justin Upton has been a major reason the Arizona Diamondbacks are at the top of the NL West right now.

His .302 average and excellent fielding have allowed the Diamondbacks to claim the lead, even with the loss of Stephen Drew.

If Arizona makes it to the postseason, then Upton has an even better shot of claiming the title.

NL No. 1: Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 22: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers attempts to make a catch in left field against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game on August 2, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Ryan Braun is an all-around great player who is having a fantastic season.

He ranks second in both batting average and OPS, and is among the top in homers, stolen bases, and RBI.

This is Braun's best season so far and if he continues, should have an extremely good chance of being named the National League's Most Valuable Player.