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Can anyone challenge Mike Trout and Freddie Freeman for MVP?

By Adam Strangis

ATLANTA, GA - June 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves prepares to bat during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.The Braves won 4-0. (Photo by Cameron Hart/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - June 01: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves prepares to bat during the game against the Washington Nationals at SunTrust Park on June 1, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia.The Braves won 4-0. (Photo by Cameron Hart/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 28: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 28: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox looks on from the dugout during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Players across the league are wearing special uniforms to commemorate Memorial Day. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

4. Mookie Betts, Outfielder for the Boston Red Sox

.338 average, 1.101 OPS, .455 wOBA, 19 HR, 40 RBI, 4.4 WAR

When you look at the numbers here, it might seem weird that Betts is just fourth on the list. He’s been absolutely dominant, the Red Sox are a blue blood team and they’re right near the top in the standings. About the only pick you can really make with Betts is he’s played roughly 15 games less than his competitors in the A.L. Since he’s fought through some injuries, it’s cost him some time and that gives other players a little bit of an edge on him.

Perhaps it’s the missed time that has been  reason behind the statistical slowdown of Betts. In the past 30 days, he’s only played 12 games but is hitting just .250 and only has two home runs. 12 games is a very small sample size int the grand scheme of things and every single player will see some low spots during the course of the year. It just so happens Betts is seeing one now.

Some may harp on the lower RBI total but it’s important to remember that RBI is slightly flawed as it is and Betts hits leadoff. His RBI total might not measure up to some others. In addition, Altuve hits third in his lineup and the RBI totals are about dead on. The scary part for the leagues Betts is only four homers off the major league lead and he’s played a significant amount of fewer games. When he heats back up again, he’ll be right back up at the top of this list.

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