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A little past halfway through the 2013 MLB season, Scott Cullen digs into the numbers to make his picks for awards to this point of the season, along with Gold Gloves, All-Surprise and All-Disappointing teams: AL MVPMiguel Cabrera, 3B, Detroit (29 HR, 92 RBI, .363 AVG, 1.132 OPS) Runners Up:Mike Trout, LF, L.A. Angels (15 HR, 57 RBI, 20 SB, .315 AVG, .946 OPS)Chris Davis, 1B, Baltimore (33 HR, 85 RBI, .313 AVG, 1.087 OPS) All three are worthy candidates, but its hard to argue against Cabrera, whose OPS is currently the best of his already illustrious career. Hes a defensive mess, but not enough to cough up the award. Trout is ever-so-slightly behind his numbers from last season, but is close, which means hes a viable challenger to Cabrera again. Last years I preferred Trout; right now, Cabrera holds the edge. Amazingly, they are both ahead of Chris Davis, a power hitter who has the same number of home runs and RBI in 90 games that he did in 139 games last season. Hes always had power, but with an improving strikeout rate, and an improving walk rate, hes become one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. The honourable mentions -- Josh Donaldson, Manny Machado, Robinson Cano, Dustin Pedroia, Evan Longoria, Adrian Beltre -- are just that. They are very good players, but so far not up to the calibre of those names above. NL MVPDavid Wright, 3B, N.Y. Mets (13 HR, 43 RBI, 14 SB, .309 AVG, .923 OPS) Runners-up:Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona (21 HR, 74 RBI, 8 SB, .310 AVG, .948 OPS)Carlos Gonzalez, LF, Colorado (24 HR, 63 RBI, 15 SB, .304 AVG, .988 OPS) The National League race remains wide open. I give the nod to Wright, who does everything well. So too, does Goldschmidt, but third base is certainly a more challenging position. Carlos Gonzalez is a beast and even hitting better on the road (1.019 OPS) compared to Coors (.960 OPS), which is not typical Rockies stuff. Depending on your take on defensive stats, Milwaukees Carlos Gomez could be a contender, as could teammate Jean Segura and Reds first baseman Joey Votto. AL CY YOUNGMax Scherzer, Detroit (13-0, 3.06 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 146 K, 123 2/3 IP) Runners Up: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (5-8, 2.78 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 123 K, 113 IP)Bartolo Colon, Oakland (12-3, 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 66 K, 120 1/3 IP) It would be great to see Sale match up with Scherzer in the battle for AL Cy Young, because Sales team wont give him nearly enough support for him to finish with a record like Scherzers, but his pitching performance is right there with Scherzer. Both have been overpowering. Bartolo Colon has been much more of a finesse, command pitcher, but its worked for him this year and he gets the nod ahead of Mariners duo Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma or Texas Yu Darvish. NL CY YOUNGClayton Kershaw, Los Angeles (8-5, 1.89 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 129 K, 138 1/3 IP) Runners-up: Matt Harvey, N.Y. Mets (7-2, 2.35 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 147 K, 130 IP)Adam Wainwright, St. Louis (12-5, 2.30 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 126 K, 140 2/3 IP) An impressive cast for the National League award and any of the three are plenty deserving, but I give the edge to Kershaw, who is leading the league in ERA for the third straight season. Harvey has been phenomenal, though hit harder in his last couple starts, while Wainwright has resumed his place among the games best following Tommy John surgery that kept him for the entire 2011 season. Cliff Lee, Jordan Zimmermann and Patrick Corbin are also worthy challengers. AL ROOKIE OF THE YEARJose Iglesias, SS/3B, Boston (1 HR, 13 RBI, .388 AVG, .934 OPS) Runners Up:Leonys Martin, CF, Texas (5 HR, 16 RBI, 18 SB, .292 AVG, .782 OPS)Dan Straily, LHP, Oakland (6-2, 4.28 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 66 K, 80 IP) The list of top rookies in the American League is decidedly underwhelming, which means room for change by seasons end, but for the time being, a slap hitter who has been lingering around .400, despite no minor league track record as a hitter, gets the nod. Martin is a decent offensive player, with good speed and could very well end up the best candidate, but hes only okay. Southpaw Dan Straily has been good, not great, but good enough to stay ahead of other challengers. With more playing time, Royals right fielder David Lough and Mariners second baseman Nick Franklin could challenge. NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Jose Fernandez, RHP, Miami (5-5, 2.83 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 99 K, 98 2/3 IP) Runners-up:Shelby Miller, RHP, St. Louis (9-6, 2.80 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 107 K, 99 2/3 IP)Hyun-Jin Ryu, LHP, Los Angeles (7-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 90 K, 111 2/3 IP) Miller has been in the lead for most of the season and its virtually a toss-up for me at this point. Fernandez has been an ace, at 20-years-old, and allows slightly fewer home runs. Ryu has also been very good, but the truth is that all of these candidates are just clinging to the lead ahead of Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, who has taken baseball by storm, with a 1.100 OPS in his first 34 games. GOLD GLOVESC - Russell Martin, PittsburghRunners-up: Yadier Molina, St. Louis; A.J. Ellis, Los Angeles Its a testament to how good Martin has been for the Pirates that he holds this spot ahead of Molina, an all-time great already, who remains great, behind the plate. Ellis, Welington Castillo and Salvador Perez are challengers. 1B - Paul Goldschmidt, ArizonaRunners-up: Eric Hosmer, Kansas City; Brandon Belt, San Francisco Its remarkable that a slugger like Goldschmidt is at the top in both Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating too. Younger, athletic guys like Hosmer and Belt have been very good, as has the Cubs Anthony Rizzo. 2B - Dustin Pedroia, BostonRunners-up: D.J. LeMahieu, Colorado, Brian Dozier, Minnesota Pedroia is the most consistent among several challengers, including LeMahieu and Dozier, who havent spent the whole season at second base in the majors. Ian Kinsler has a case and, among those who havent played as much, Kansas Citys Elliot Johnson has been excellent. 3B - Manny Machado, BaltimoreRunners-up: Nolan Arenado, Colorado; Chase Headley, San Diego Machado, who came through the Orioles system as a shortstop, has been spectacular at the hot corner, while Arenado, another young gun, has been nearly as good in not quite as much playing time. Headley has a slight edge over Evan Longoria and Todd Frazier for the top defensive tier. SS - Andrelton Simmons, AtlantaRunners-up: Pedro Florimon, Minnesota, Yunel Escobar, Tampa Bay Simmons is on another planet, so far ahead of the rest and while Florimon and Escobar have been the best of the other contenders, a healthy Troy Tulowitzki would deserve a runner-up spot, and Pete Kozma and Elvis Andrus are possible challengers. LF - Andy Dirks, DetroitRunners-up: Starling Marte, Pittsburgh; Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Its a close battle between Dirks and Marte while Cespedes is a challenger who hasnt played quite as much due to injury. Michael Brantley and David Murphy have also been strong defensively. CF - Carlos Gomez, MilwaukeeRunners-up: Lorenzo Cain, Kansas City; A.J. Pollock, Arizona Much like Simmons is his own universe at shortstop, Gomez has been out of this world in centre field too. Hes always been a tremendous fielder, but regular playing time and some offensive production are helping to raise his profile. Cain and Pollock have been very good, but are barely ahead of other contenders: Andrew McCutchen, Jacoby Ellsbury and Colby Rasmus. RF - Shane Victorino, BostonRunners-up: Gerardo Parra, Arizona; Josh Reddick, Oakland Victorino has the range of a guy who played a lot of centre field in his career and Parra has bounced around the Diamondbacks outfield, excelling in all spots. Reddicks bat has slumped this year, but his glove is still good, keeping him just ahead of power hitters Jose Bautista and Jay Bruce. (I realize there are Gold Gloves awarded in both leagues. Im just trying to recognize the best fielders at each position.) ALL-SURPRISE TEAMC - Jason Castro, Houston (12 HR, 31 RBI, .268 AVG, .808 OPS)1B - Chris Davis, Baltimore (33 HR, 85 RBI, .313 AVG, 1.087 OPS)2B - Matt Carpenter, St. Louis (8 HR, 40 RBI, .322 AVG, .888 OPS)SS - Jean Segura, Milwaukee (11 HR, 36 RBI, 27 SB, .320 AVG, .844 OPS)3B - Josh Donaldson, Oakland (15 HR, 58 RBI, .316 AVG, .914 OPS)LF - Starling Marte, Pittsburgh (9 HR, 27 RBI, 28 SB, .288 AVG, .794 OPS)CF - Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee (13 HR, 41 RBI, 20 SB, .305 AVG, .893 OPS)RF - Michael Cuddyer, Colorado (15 HR, 52 RBI, .336 AVG, .969 OPS)SP - Patrick Corbin, Arizona (10-1, 2.40 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 99 K, 123 2/3 IP)SP - Matt Harvey, N.Y. Mets (7-2, 2.35 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 147 K, 130 IP)SP - Bartolo Colon, Oakland (12-3, 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 66 K, 120 1/3 IP) SP - Travis Wood, Chicago Cubs (6-6, 2.69 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 85 K, 117 IP)SP - Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle (7-4, 2.97 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 106 K, 124 1/3 IP)RP - Edward Mujica, St. Louis (24 SV, 2.39 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 33 K, 37 2/3 IP) ALL-DISAPPOINTING TEAMC - Miguel Montero, Arizona (6 HR, 31 RBI, .219 AVG, .622 OPS)1B - Ike Davis, N.Y. Mets (5 HR, 18 RBI, .171 AVG, .520 OPS)2B - Danny Espinosa, Washington (3 HR, 10 RBI, .158 AVG, .465 OPS)SS - Starlin Castro, Chicago Cubs (5 HR, 27 RBI, .234 AVG, .604 OPS)3B - Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco (8 HR, 39 RBI, .258 AVG, .678 OPS)LF - Josh Willingham, Minnesota (10 HR, 35 RBI, .224 AVG, .754 OPS)CF - B.J. Upton, Atlanta (8 HR, 20 RBI, 7 SB, .178 AVG, .574 OPS)RF - Jason Heyward, Atlanta (7 HR, 21 RBI, .229 AVG, .703 OPS)SP - Ian Kennedy, Arizona (3-5, 5.31 ERA, 1.38 WHIP)SP - Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee (7-8, 4.85 ERA, 1.46 WHIP)SP - Josh Johnson, Toronto (1-4, 4.62 ERA, 1.51 WHIP)SP - R.A. Dickey, Toronto (8-9, 4.77 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)SP - Jonathon Niese, N.Y. Mets (3-6, 4.32 ERA, 1.61 WHIP)RP - Joel Hanrahan, Boston (4 SV, 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP) Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Cheap NHL Jerseys China . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Wholesale Adidas Hockey Jerseys . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. http://www.cheapnflwholesalejerseys.net/ . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada. Wholesale NFL Jerseys Outlet . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. China NFL Jerseys . Arsenal failed to take full advantage of its main rivals stumbles on Saturday as substitute Gerard Deulofeu levelled with a hard shot from a tight angle in the 84th minute to give Everton a deserved point. Ahead of a crucial fortnight that will see them play against Napoli in the Champions League, Manchester City and Chelsea, Arsenal leads by five points ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea. SEOUL, South Korea -- In 2011, one of the more popular television series on North Koreas Central Television channel was Our Womens Football Team, a five-part dramatization of the 2006 Under-20 World Cup triumph. After two similar tournament wins in late 2016, it may be time for a sequel or two.On October 30, the womens Under-17 team won the World Cup in Jordan, defeating Japan in a penalty shootout. On December 3, the Under-20 side did the same with a 3-1 victory over France in Papau New Guinea. It makes the country the first to win those tournaments back-to-back and both teams were given a rapturous welcome on their return to Pyongyang.Sport is very important to the regime and always has been and any success goes down very well, Aidan Foster-Carter, long-time Korea watcher and Honorary Fellow at Leeds University, told The Associated Press.This became even more important since Kim Jong Un succeeded his father Kim Jong Il in 2011.Kim Jong Un has been known to be interested in sport and that became even more apparent when the basketball player Dennis Rodman visited the country, added Foster-Carter. Relations with South Korea have been pretty bad but he has sent teams to sporting events that the south has hosted.One of those was the 2014 Asian Games, held in Incheon, near Seoul. Prior to the tournament, Kim visited the womens training camp to deliver a hand-written letter. The team took gold.Talented children are streamed into schools with special programs and then into sporting academies. Successful stars can receive special benefits.Kim gives people he is proud of apartments, and that includes athletes, said Foster-Carter. They are always looking for young talent and female soccer is particularly good.After the latest triumph, Under-20 team coach Hwang Yong-bong was praised for his performance -- described as mysterious and unorthodox and a tactical genius by FIFAs official website -- during the tournament and for his effective use of substitutes to turn games.I make no distinction between my starting XI and my bench. Whenever I make such switches, its always to try to help the team, said Hwang after defeating hosts Papa New Guinea 7-1 in the group stage.North Korea has long been a competitivve team in the mens and womens games, but in the past that was chiefly due to stamina and effort.dddddddddddd Today, that is allied to a more sophisticated tactics and training as the country now has the means to take in influences from abroad.The North Korean government has also relaxed its isolationist tendencies and allowed young male prospects to play in Europe. Six of the starting eleven that defeated South Korea in the final of the 2014 Asian U-16 tournament had spent time in Italy and Spain.The opening of the Pyongyang International Football School in 2013, built with $800,000 from FIFAs development program, was another landmark development. Of the 200 students who live in at the academy, which invites foreign coaches, 40% are female aged from nine to 15. The girls play in the same teams as the boys for much of the time they are in the academy.Andrei Lankov, a Korean expert and Honorary Fellow at Macquarie University, is not surprised to see such facilities in the country.There is a recognition that they could use foreign consultation and to have more of their players and coaches interact with whats going on elsewhere, said Lankov. Tactics and training methods are always evolving and they know they need to keep abreast of those changes.Their relative isolation is probably more costly at a sub-elite level, where regional schools and things dont have access to the internet and You Tube and other tools. The leadership clearly thinks the benefits outweigh the costs of having few exchanges with the outside world; sports being no exception.The challenge for the triumphant women is to sustain the success up to the senior level and deliver the womens team a first World Cup title. The best showing so far is a quarterfinal spot in 2007 though the team was disqualified for the 2015 edition after two players had failed doping tests at the 2011 tournament.Winning back-to-back youth World Cups is a great start.Its a feat thats never been achieved before, said coach Hwang. Im delighted with our victory, but we cant stop here. We have to keep on working to win more titles. ' ' ' |
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