Cardinals' Mike Shildt Might Just Steal Manager of the Year From Brian Snitker

Heading into the final month of MLB's regular season, the debate on who will come away with hardware has intensified, especially in the National League.

The MVP debate is between four or five players, even though Cody Bellinger is putting up insane numbers, and the Cy Young Award could come down to the final weekend. As far as the Manager of the Year goes, Atlanta's Brian Snitker could repeat and win the award again, as his team has defied the odds and look to be a serious NL contender.

However, St. Louis Cardinals skipper Mike Shildt is definitely in the conversation, especially when you look at what his team has done recently.

Just like the Braves, the Cardinals were not the favorites to win the division coming into the season. You had to respect the defending champion Milwaukee Brewers, especially since they have the reigning MVP in Christian Yelich, and most analysts favored the Chicago Cubs.

But with 25 games left in the regular season, the Cardinals hold a three game lead over the Cubs and are winners of 19 of their last 24 games.

St. Louis and Shildt have been flying under the radar for most of the season, and with an award that is usually handed out based on narrative and storyline, the 51-year-old doesn't get enough attention for the job he's done.

Of course, knocking the Cubs out of the playoffs could be the boost Shildt needs, and the Cards have seven games left against their rivals to prove they are the superior team, and their manager is a huge reason why.