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by Digger

NL MVP 2008 ballot tallies will have many first place vote recipients. 18 games remain and a hot finish could separate one player from the rest when votes are cast. Here's a short list of MVP calibur performances.

Early on Chipper Jones scortched foes batting over .400. Chipper's odds have been reduced due to Atlanta falling out of contention and recent lost time due to injury. Who knows? A hot September could thrust him back into the limelight.

Lance Berkman has made pitchers pay for their mistakes (.328, 44 2B, 27 HR). Houston is making a late season run, winners in 9 of 10, with Berkman leading the charge. NL Central supplies hitter friendly parks and Berkman has taken full advantage during his career.

Albert Pujols has been steady all year with timely hits while sending hurlers to early showers. He's one of the games all time greatest hitters. He's been producing big time numbers all year playing with an elbow requiring surgery this off-season. NL batting leader (.361), ranks in top ten of most major hitting categories, on pace for 100+ RBI for his 8th consecutive season. Most importantly delivering timely hits to keep St Louis in playoff contention. A hot September plus playoff birth could secure the trophy for Pujols.

Matt Holliday (.326, 24 HR) will probably get passed over since Colorado hasn't really challenged in '08 after a miraculous '07 romp to NL Championship.

David Wright has produced many big time hits for the Mets. He's hoping to avoid another September meltdown... it's not working (2 for 14). He's currently in super hot Delgado's shadow so pressure should be off of him. Mets players must still have ghosts of '07 on their minds.

Ryan Braun (.301, 34 HR, 96 RBI) crushes baseballs.... when he hits them. This kid has all the tools to become on of baseball's best for years to come. The only knock against him is K/BB ratio. Braun wiffs way too much and often times in key situations with runners in scoring position. A .294 RISP average is tarnished by 36 K's (1 in 3.97 AB's). Milwaukee is battling Chicago for NL Central honors. If Braun shines... start counting first place votes.

Ryan Ludwig exploded on the scene (.299 BA, 32 HR, 99 RBI .577 SLG). St Louis was picked by most to finish deep in their division. Ludwig's play has been a big part of a successful Cardinals season. Most think of Pujols heroics.. this kid will probably get many deserved votes. Doubtful any will have a 1 attached to it.

Chase Utley was lighting up scoreboards and pacing Philadelphia's potent attack for much of '08. He suddenly lost his stroke and the Phils started sliding. His numbers were superb before the All Star break (25 HR, .291). Post AS break (.290, 6 HR). Utley's power numbers have been down as he continues to pull off of pitches. He fell into a trap of trying to hit everything out of the park... and isn't. Suddenly popping out with RISP and not supplying timely hits. If his lost power stroke returns and can lead Philadelphia to an NL East title... he might take home trophy #2 in three years.

Red hot and super clutch Mets 1B Carlos Delgado (31 HR, 96 RBI) is the toast of the town in New York after clutch hit after clutch hit helps promote the Mets from 3rd to 1st. April and May probably had Carlos looking for Bobby Bonilla's old pair of Shea earplugs. He was awful and looked so out of synch many started believing Carlos' career had ended before our eyes. Time after time he was off balance, popping up or striking out in key moments game after game. Delgado has now found Mets Magic. Pulling off a complete turnaround, no key situation slips past his bat. He's producing monsterous games with tape measure blasts over the wall. Seven multi-homer games including his last two. 5 September homers (all wins). When the game is on the line, Delgado has shined. He went from on of NL's most boo'd players to a New York hero.

Pujols has been the steadiest all year. Utley can win if he leads Philly to NL East title. The trophy will belong to Delgado is he keeps surging. He's in such a zone right now I don't picture it ending anytime soon. Delgado to keep on crushing 450+ blasts to win MVP in one of closest votes ever.