Yankee Stadium, Comerica, Fenway and Wrigley aren't better hitter ballparks than the US Cellular Bandbox. They're only ranked higher because all those teams can score. You think Cincy and Philly's home ballparks are 15/16th in the league for offense? I don't think so.
And yes if the WS make it and Minny doesn't of course Quentin will win. However if both teams make the playoffs I favour Morneau.
The White Sox are arguably a better offensive team than the Yankee's and are equal to the Red Sox. They are also a better hitting team than Detroit statistically. This would mean one of two things.
1. The White Sox, who lead the MLB in home runs at home by a wide margin, are a very powerful team that increases the image of their ballpark being a bandbox. In reality it is no easier to hit at US Cellular than it is at the Metrodome. The Twins just haven't been as prolific of an offensive team. I'll argue that any artificial turf is easier to hit on than a natural surface. The ball gets through the infield and outfield much faster.
2. White Sox pitching is very underrated for holding opponents down at home and keeping them in the ballpark. I tend to lean towards the middle. I personally think the White Sox power has made it seem that their ballpark is a better hitters park than it really is. I also think there pitching has been good but isn't as good as holding down opponents in the perceived "easy" hitting park.
- The White Sox have scored more than 50% of their runs off the home run ball and it is an intricate part of their offense. If you break down the raw statistics:
Justin Morneau has 38 2B's, 20 HR's, 102 RBI's, .308 AVG, .388 OBP, .511 SLG, and an .899 OPS.
Quentin has 25 2B's, 36 HR's, 100 RBI's, 7 SB, .292 AVG, .398 OBP, .582 SLG, and a .980 OPS.
His offensive numbers are simply more prolific. His slugging, OBP and OPS are much better than Morneau's. Also Carlos Quentin is leading the MLB in game winning RBI's. He also is hitting .362 in Late Inning Pressure Situations with 7 HR's and 16 RBI's. Which is slightly better than Morneau's numbers which are also very good.
The MVP award goes to baseballs most valuable player and the Chicago White Sox wouldn't be a .500 team w/o Carlos Quentin in 2008. When Thome, Konerko, and Swisher were simply awful, he stepped it up and was terrific.
Despite all of those reasons, the reason I think Quentin is a lock for the MVP is because down the stretch he has been phenomenal. Since the All-Star Break he's hitting .331 with 14 HR's and 30 RBI's in 35 games. Morneau is hitting .268 with 6 HR's and 34 RBI's in 38 games. Morneau has more RBI's because no one will pitch to Quentin anymore; even with Dye hitting behind him. His OBP is a staggering .455 since the ASB compared to Morneau's .381. He has been the best player in the league post ASB and the voters will take that into account when picking the MVP. He showed up in the most important part of the season. If he continue to do what he is doing, and the White Sox make the playoffs, he will be a lock to win the MVP.
Anyone talking about Youkilis can't be serious. Only reason he is even in the discussion is because he's on the Red Sox. Morneau and Quentin are the favorites, and I think Hamilton would be more deserving than Youkilis. He has had a very good season but he hasn't been the big time player that Quentin and Morneau have been for their team. Youk isn't even the most feared hitter on his own team.
