Fansided

MLB awards watch: MVP races

By John Buhler

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs the bases after hitting a game winning, walk-off three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) runs the bases after hitting a game winning, walk-off three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) smiles in the dugout during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) smiles in the dugout during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

American League No. 3

3

Dallas Keuchel

LHP, Houston Astros

American League, watch out! Dallas Keuchel is doing it again. He found the magic sauce that helped him lead his 2015 Houston Astros to the AL Postseason. Keuchel won the 2015 American League Cy Young and he could be in the mix to make it two in three years.

Keuchel has gone 4-0 in his first five starts for the American League West leading Astros. He has a 1.22 ERA, an 0.838 WHIP and a 299 ERA+. Keuchel is eating innings like crazy in the early part of the season. He has pitched in 37.0 innings and faced 137 batters. If he gets back to ace status, don’t rule out the Astros winning their first pennant since switching leagues.

Houston is tied with the Washington Nationals for the best record in baseball thorough 20 games at 14-6. It’s still ridiculously early, but it looks like Houston is going to run away with the NL West crown. Second-place Oakland is 10-10 and already four games back of the Astros.

We know that the Astros are going to get elite defense at pitcher from Keuchel. After a slump in 2016, he’s back as the ace Houston needs to beat anybody in a postseason series. Houston is one of those organizations that thrives on momentum. This could be a very special year in Astros baseball.

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