Albert Pujols: NL MVP Candidate?

You're probably thinking, Why is this even a question? It is Albert Pujols. When isn't he mentioned in the MVP discussion?

Well you'd be correct, but Pujols has had quite the 2011 season.

Plagued by contract negotiations, Pujols, for much of the season, had not been his usual self.

At the All-Star break, Pujols had just come off the DL with a fractured left wrist. He didn't get named to his 10th All-Star team, despite being hurt. But that goes to show that there were more deserving candidates at the 1B position such as defending NL MVP, Joey Votto, and eventual All-Star Game MVP, Prince Fielder. Even still, one would think Pujols could manage to squeak his way on the roster. I mean, he is arguably the league's best player.

However, at the end of the 1st half, Pujols' numbers were .280/18/50. It was more so his batting average than anything. His lifetime career BA entering the 2011 season was .331. So obviously, Pujols was struggling. 

But did you expect a player of Pujols' caliber to continue his slump? Surely you didn't?

So as the second half continued to progress, the Milwaukee Brewers were pulling away in the NL Central after having a 21-7 month of August. The Cardinals, themselves, were only 15-13. 

St. Louis seemed to be done. They were 9.5 games back from the NL Central lead, and 8.5 back from the Wildcard. 

Then came September...

Pujols is hitting .423 in the month of September.

The Cardinals decided to play with pride and dignity as the team decided to make a late postseason charge. St. Louis has gone 13-5, the best record in the NL so far in September. They're now five games back in the central and 2.5 games back in the NL Wildcard. Who's responsible? Well, who else?

Now that the Cardinals Slugger has awoken from his slump, Pujols has a .333/18/47 stat line since the second half has begun. But what's even more impressive is his .423/4/18 in the month of September.

He's coming through in the Clutch when his team was seemingly down and out. Besides, he'll have the numbers too. He's just three RBI's of having his .300/30/100 streak extended. 

If the Cardinals make the Postseason, Pujols should definitely be an MVP Candidate. In fact, he should win the award. But, you know the drill, it's just one man's opinion.

Sources
http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/_/id/4574/albert-pujols
http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable.jsp?c_id=mlb&tcid=mm_mlb_stats#sectionType=sp&playerType=ALL&statType=hitting&page_type=SortablePlayer&season=2011&season_type=ANY&sportCode='mlb'&league_code='MLB'&split=posas&team_id=&active_sw=&game_type='R'&position=&sortOrder='desc'&sortColumn=hr&results=&page=1&perPage=50&timeframe=posas&extended=0&last_x_days=&ts=1316644929380&tab_level=child&click_text=Sortable+Player+hitting
http://espn.go.com/mlb/standings


NOTE: I do NOT take credit for this photo.