Last season Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw won the National League MVP, becoming the first NL pitcher to win the award since Bob Gibson in 1968. Pitchers have never won the award in consecutive seasons, and while it may be a long shot, it could possibly happen this year.
Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is currently among the favorites, if not the leader of the pack, as the 22-year-old phenom leads the NL in batting average (.334), on-base percentage (.460), slugging percentage (.639), wOBA (.457), wRC+ (195) and home runs (31).
But one of Kershaw’s teammates, Zack Greinke is also having an outstanding season, perhaps even more impressive than Kershaw’s in 2014. Greinke is 14-3 with an MLB-best 1.61 ERA.
Both Greinke and Kershaw have been extremely impressive this season against Harper and the Nationals in particular, as the Dodgers beat the Nationals in four of six games on the season, with Kershaw and Greinke earning all four wins.
Harper called Kershaw the best pitcher in the game after going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against the left-handed ace on July 18. Harper wasn’t as complimentary of Greinke the following day, crediting some of his success to pitcher-friendly strike zone.
However, when recently discussing who he would give his vote to for NL MVP, Harper named Greinke, according to Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY Sports:
Probably (Zack) Greinke,” Harper said, after a few moments to consider the options. “He’s had such a great year. He’s had a sub-2.00 all year long, sub-1.72 ERA all year long. He’s absolutely carving, still. He’s doing exactly what Clayton Kershaw did last year, so if Clayton deserved it last year, I’d have to say Greinke if not me.”
Harper also shared his admiration for Greinke’s personality and demeanor:
I think it’s really cool,” Harper says of Greinke’s panache. “I think it’s actually a lot of fun to see and the thing about him, too, if someone hits a home run off him and flips a bat, (he doesn’t) care. It’s good.”
There is still over a month remaining in the season, but if Greinke continues to pitch as well as he has, he has to at least be in the conversation for NL MVP.
