5 Ways That Chris Davis Can Win MVP in 2014
5 Ways That Chris Davis Can Win MVP in 2014
The first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles had a dominant season in 2013. Chris Davis led the American League in home runs and RBI on his way to battle for the MVP award. As it turns out, Davis had a better chance at winning the Cy-Young award than the most valuable because the competition is so great. Miguel Cabrera won the award and Mike Trout came in second.
It is very difficult to argue against either man for coming in first or second. For Davis to have a chance at next season’s AL MVP, several things will need to happen. Before we go into the things that Davis will need to do let’s look at what the others need to do to help him. First of all it would help if Prince Fielder’s departure from Detroit allows pitchers to be more selective in what Miggy sees.
That is about where the easy stuff ends. As far as Trout goes, Davis just needs to outgun him. He could hope for more miscues in the outfield perhaps and maybe another down season from his cohorts in the batting order. Either way you slice it, Davis will have his work cut out for him in winning the MVP even if he duplicates his season. Here is what he could do to his own output to help himself win.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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5 – Move to the National League
There is a little bit of a joke in this one. The idea is that if you moved Davis’ 2013 season to the NL there is no doubt he would have walked away with the MVP award. At least that is what I see when I look at the numbers. He basically needs to hope next season’s MVP race in the AL looks a lot like this past season’s NL race.
4 – Hope Orioles Make Playoffs
If you took Davis’ season and placed it within a season where the Orioles made the playoffs there is a very good chance his enormous numbers would have carried him to the award. For certain the winning percentage of the team and whether or not they make the postseason has a strong influence over who wins the award. Just look at the winners this season.
3 – Higher Average
There is almost nothing that Davis could do better offensively than he did in 2013 but he certainly could hit for a slightly higher average. If he repeats the power numbers and brings up his average he could threaten a triple crown in 2014 and if he did that it would all but guarantee an MVP.
2 – Repeat Power Numbers
Here is the main thing he has to do. His power numbers were awesome and he needs to be able to make them awesome once again or none of the rest of this stuff matters at all.
1 – Fewer Strikeouts
The fact that Davis struck out 199 times didn’t help his chances. The power numbers nearly cancel that out but fewer strikeouts would help with a higher average and all of that would give him a better chance at winning the award.
