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July 12, 2017At the All-Star Break, the Cleveland Indians offense has been inconsistent at times, but both Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor are among the Top 10 favorites (No. 8 and No. 10 respectively) to win the American League MVP, according to Vegas Insider.
Ramirez keeps proving that he’s not just the best hitter on the Indians, but one of the best in the league as well. With a .332/.388/.601 (.988 OPS) slash line, he has been dominant through the first half of the season. Add in his 27 doubles, five triples, 17 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases, and he’s on pace to set all new career highs in every stat on the box score except for stolen bases.
After signing a team-friendly extension prior to this season, the Indians got one heckuva steal in Ramirez. Not only is he great at the plate and in the field, but J-Ram’s versatility is one of the most valuable things about his play.
Part of the reason for his rise to stardom has been due to Ramirez’s recent play. In his last 26 games, the 24-year-old has a .443/.491/.887 (1.378 OPS) slash line with 14 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 21 RBIs, and just nine strikeouts. Add in the fact that he’s one of the best defensive third baseman in the league and it just makes his case for the MVP even more clear.
While killing it with his glove, Lindor is struggling at the plate, to say the least. With just a .252/.312/.456 (.767 OPS) slash line, 25 doubles, 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, and four stolen bases, the shortstop is on pace for one of his worst offensive seasons of his young career. Although he has a lot more power than he did in 2015 and 2016, his other numbers need improvement. But, the 23-year-old has made up for it with his play in the field, snagging any ball that comes within his grasp. With his new-found power, energetic smile, and being in the national consciousness, if Lindor can get his average up, he can make quite a push for the AL MVP.
If the Indians win the AL Central, Ramirez will be in the discussion to win the MVP. Although Lindor has struggled at the plate, he has a good shot to win his second-straight Gold Glove at shortstop and his hitting could come back around. Even with his struggles with the bat, his defense is part of the reason why he’s still a Top 10 player to win the AL MVP. Then again, with Houston’s dominance and Aaron Judge hitting the ball out to Mars from New York, it will be hard for any Indians player to garner enough votes to actually win.
The top 10 odds:
- Aaron Judge, Yankees: 2-to-7
- Carlos Correa, Astros: 7-to-1
- Jose Altuve, Astros: 7-to-1
- George Springer, Astros: 8-to-1
- Mike Trout, Angels: 10-to-1
- Mookie Betts, Red Sox: 10-to-1
- Corey Dickerson, Rays: 20-to-1
- Jose Ramirez, Indians: 20-to-1
- Miguel Sano, Twins: 66-to-1
- Francisco Lindor, Indians: 80-to-1
6 Comments
Last year I recall thinking JRam was going to be a little better than Terry Pendleton. He’s going to nuke that career comparison out of the water, and that was to a former MVP.
Have you heard the fans singing “Ho-zaaaaayyyyyy . . . . Jose Jose Jose” at the Jake? It’s great! The man is a professional hitter.
I worry about Frankie a little. He doesn’t seem to have the burning desire this year.
Judge might come down to earth when pitchers figure him out. Or they might not and he might not, and he could have a Freddie Lynn ROY and MVP year.
Those Indians road grays look really sharp.
I get a kick out of the base-running mitten. Ty Cobb is rolling over.
I just looked at the odds on Ramirez yesterday and he was part of the “field” @ 4/1. I also wanted to bet him preseason but he is was part of the field at 8/1 or something. I will have to look again to see if Judge is part of the field as well. Vegas books really suck sometimes.
Jose may not win AL MVP, but I bet he finishes Top 5. I think his odds are way too low at 20-1, he belongs in the 10-1 crowd, especially if the Tribe starts to put their foot on the gas.
Damn this kid is awesome.