Arizona Diamondbacks face history-chasing Giancarlo Stanton next
Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton smacked his 56th home run Wednesday in a rout of the Mets, continuing his jaw-dropping season as the most electric bat in baseball.
But as Stanton keeps trotting around the bases, is he also running away with the National League MVP award?
That debate will take center stage this weekend at Chase Field as the Diamondbacks host the Marlins.
Arizona first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is in the thick of contention, as he ranked among NL leaders in RBIs (115), homers (35), extra-base hits (71), walks (88), total bases (304), on-base percentage (.408), OPS (.984), average with runners in scoring position (.368) and slugging percentage (.576) entering Wednesday's series finale against the Padres in San Diego.
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Add in the fact the Diamondbacks are currently in possession of the first wild-card spot, and Goldschmidt's impact is underscored even more.
The Marlins haven't been as successful, but that's hardly a knock on Stanton, who also has 120 RBIs, 85 extra-base hits, 82 walks, 352 total bases, a .378 OBP, 1.012 OPS, .243 average with runners in scoring position and a .634 slugging percentage.
Time will tell if this upcoming three-game set provides any clarity on who's most deserving of the honor, but watching these two titans clash should be a treat.
Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.