By mid-August, the race for MLB's major awards usually starts coming into focus, with clear top contenders emerging, if not a favorite. While there's still time for things to alter the race—a hot streak down the stretch, an injury, a slump, etc.—we checked in with our experts for their current picks to take home the AL and NL MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year, and why.
Stephanie Apstein: Mookie Betts, OF, Red Sox
I tend to default to Mike Trout, but it’s hard to ignore the season Betts is having. I thought Trout had the edge as recently as the end of July, but he hasn’t played since Aug.