Be careful with these 10 fights for individual leadership

With about a month to go in the regular season, some individual stat battles are already decided. No one is going to homer Aaron Judge, for example.

But in other categories, the fight could last until the final stretch, with two or more players battling for the lead. Here we leave you with a subjective look at 10 of the most interesting fights to follow closely in these weeks.

(Statistics until the end of the day on Saturday)

Favorites: Kyle Schwarber (FIL) 36, Austin Riley (ATL) 35, Paul Goldschmidt (STL) 34, Mookie Betts (LAD) 33, Pete Alonso (NYM) 32

Not only is it a tough fight, but there is also a lot at stake. Goldschmidt is seeking to be the first player to win the Triple Crown in the National League since another Cardinal, Joe Medwick, did it in 1937, and he currently leads in batting average and also leads in RBIs, one ahead of Alonso.

Favorites (via Baseball-Reference): Aaron Judge (NYY) 7.9, Shohei Ohtani (LAA) 7.6

It’s a fascinating fight, not only because of how close and because they’re the MVP favorites, but also because of how each one is racking up that WAR. Judge is putting together a historic season with his home runs and Ohtani is basically one of the top 10 pitchers and one of the top 10 hitters in the league.

Favorites: Freddie Freeman (LAD) 168, Trea Turner (LAD) 163

No player who spent an entire season with the Dodgers has won the hitting lead since Steve Garvey in 1980. It’s almost a given that a player from the club will do so in 2022; the question is whether it will be Freeman or Turner.

Favorites: Justin Verlander (HOU) 1.84, Dylan Cease (CHW) 2.13, Shane McClanahan (TB) 2.20, Alek Manoah (TOR) 2.48, Shohei Ohtani (LAA) 2.58

It looked like Verlander was going to run away in this department, but the calf injury he just suffered now opens the door for the others, as it’s unclear if the 39-year-old will return in time to throw 10 more innings and be eligible. to the category leadership. McClanahan, sidelined with a throwing shoulder injury, needs 14.2 more acts to reach the minimum of the 162 required.

Favorites: Julio Urías (LAD) 2.29, Sandy Alcántara (MIA) 2.36, Max Fried (ATL) 2.53, Zac Gallen (ARI) 2.53

A couple of months ago, Mexico’s Urias gave up five runs against the Cubs on July 10 and his ERA dropped to 3.01. That same day, Alcántara shut out the Mets in 7.0 innings, improving his to 1.73. But in nine starts each since then, the numbers have flipped (1.13 for Urias, 3.73 for Alcantara), with Urias taking over the lead on Saturday.

Favorites: Freddie Freeman (LAD) 43, Matt Olson (ATL) 41

Sometimes great stories write themselves. Former Braves first baseman Freeman is locked in a tough fight in this category against his replacement, Olson. If Freeman prevails, he will be the first player to win three double titles in his league in a five-year period since Don Mattingly did it in the American League three times in a row between 1984 and 1986.

Favorites: Kenley Jansen (ATL) 31, Josh Hader (SD) 30, Taylor Rogers (MIL) 30, Edwin Diaz (NYM) 29, Daniel Bard (COL) 28

With Hader and Rogers down, this could be a race between Jansen and the dominant Puerto Rican Diaz, whose teams are also locked in a fierce battle for the NL East crown.

Favorites: Cedric Mullins (BAL) 29, Jorge Mateo (BAL) 29, Randy Arozarena (TB) 27, Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) 26

One of the Orioles’ strengths is their speed, and Mullins and Mateo are two of their best running backs. But the Cuban Arozarena and Witt Jr. are on the prowl.

Favorites: Corbin Burnes (MIL) 200, Carlos Rodon (SF) 191, Aaron Nola (PHI) 190

Burnes, the reigning NL Cy Young, is well positioned, but a Nola determined to lead the Phillies to the postseason and a Rodon on his way to becoming one of the most wanted free agents (assuming he gets out of his contract) are not. they will make it easy for you.

10. On-base percentage, NL

Favorites: Paul Goldschmidt (STL) .418, Juan Soto (SD) .408

This one is interesting, because it’s an extreme example of how two players can get to the same number in different ways. Goldschmidt has thrown balls all year, adding 157 hits, 52 more than Soto. But Soto leads the Majors with 115 walks, 46 more than Goldy.