Christian Yelich Separating Himself From Cody Bellinger With Latest Absurd Stretch
By Michael Luciano
The battle for NL MVP has been a two-horse race for the entire 2019 season, a Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich and Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Cody Bellinger have been lapping the competition.
While Bellinger has held a slight lead over Yelich for most of the season, a recent cold spell has seen the 2018 MVP leap in front. Yelich now leads the NL in batting average (.338), home runs (36), and stolen bases (23).
Christian Yelich always ready for the big stage ?
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 28, 2019
(via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/PujlfNYxVV
Considering that MVP votes can be decided by the thinnest of margins, Yelich is barely ahead in several key areas, including on-base percentage (.436 vs .429), OPS (1.145 vs 1.103), and OPS+ (189 vs 187).
While Bellinger might get some extra votes thanks to his role on arguably the best team in baseball while Yelich's Brewers might not make the playoffs, that argument could be twisted in Yelich's favor. Through his historic performances, Yelich is elevating a team that might be .500 or worse otherwise and keeping them in the thick of the playoff hunt on sheer will and determination alone.
Christian Yelich now has hit 36 HR this season. That is tied for the 4th-most by a reigning MVP prior to August 1. pic.twitter.com/cREOODAxY5
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 28, 2019
The Belli-Yeli race might not be on McGwire-Sosa levels yet, but it's certainly getting there.