Why Ryan Howard Will Be MVP

Ryan Howard has had what could be considered one of the best offensive career starts ever seen.

In only 566 games as a Philadelphia Phillie, Howard has racked up a whopping 175 home runs, 494 RBI, and a .533 slugging percentage. Most importantly though is Howard's production in the late months of the season.

In his short career, he has 42 dingers in the months of September and October with 106 RBI. This only slightly bests his August numbers of 33 HRs and 100 RBI.

Clearly Howard is turning into a clutch player down the stretch for the Philadelphia Phillies, and he has homered his way into talks now for the NL MVP. Fortunately for him it might be easier than he thinks to win the award for the second time.

Most of his critics argue that he is only hitting .249 on the season and that his defense is less than desirable even at this point in his career. But can we discount the fact that he has single handedly put this team on his back and carried them to what appears to be a playoff berth?

Howard is currently hitting .348 in the month of September with nine homers and 27 RBI. Not bad in 69 at bats.

His rivals for the MVP award might have much better overall numbers, but they are struggling to stay in contention if not out of it already.

Albert Pujols is having a stellar year, hitting .349 for the season with 34 home runs and 106 RBI. How can we dismiss the fact though that his team is a mere five games over .500 and out of the playoff hunt, sitting 14.5 games back.

Carlos Delgado is having a monster end to the season as well. Hitting .361 in the month of September with seven homers and 17 RBI, he has managed to come up big in some clutch situations for the Mets as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.

David Wright is another name that looms in the MVP race. Hitting .297 on the season, Wright has a respectable 32 home runs and 118 RBI, but will probably fall short once again because his numbers aren't as glaring as Delgado's at this point in the season.

So why will Howard win the MVP?

Ryan Howard should and will win the MVP for the following reasons:

1. Howard leads the league in home runs by eight and by the end of the week could break 50.

2. Howard's 141 RBI is 23 higher than any of the MVP contenders.

3. Despite Howard's poor batting average, he has managed to turn it on when his team needed it and has been hitting .282 since July 1.

4. Howard has picked up his entire offense and carried them towards what appears to be an NL East title, contingent on the outcome of the last six games of the season.

5. Finally, Howard continues to be a team player despite the fact that the foolish Philadelphia ownership refuses to acknowledge the lasting potential of this offensive phenom. Howard has continued to play the good guy while Philadelphia execs have yet to extend his contract.