This entry I’m just doing my MLB Players Numbers and Achievements column. I’m writing about what the best players in baseball have done so far in the last month of the regular season.

MLB Players Numbers and Achievements

Big Papi David Ortiz hit his first homerun since returning to the Red Sox lineup Sunday giving him 48 homeruns this season which is a new career high for Ortiz. Ortiz will have to hit a lot of homeruns in September if he wants to come even close to Phillies slugger Ryan Howard. Howard has 56 homeruns and 138 RBIs this season which both lead the majors. Howard is an NL MVP candidate has won this year’s homerun derby and was last years NL Rookie of Year! Howard seems to be unstoppable to this point he is also 4 homeruns shy from Hall of Famer Babe Ruth’s season homerun record. That gives Howard 17 days to hit 4 homeruns and today the Phillies play a double header against the Atlanta Braves and the last time Howard faced the Braves he hit 3 homeruns in 1 game. The Phillies are 2 games behind the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card the Phil’s need to start a winning streak if they plan to play October Baseball.

One of the best all around hitters Albert Pujols has 45 homeruns this season and is 1 shy of his career high. Last night Pujols hit a walk off double to win the game against the Astros. Vladimir Guerrero set a franchise record in 2000 when he was on the Montreal Expos (Washington Nationals) when he hit 44 homeruns in one season. 6 years later Alfonso Soriano broke his record and set a new one; he has 45 this season and will probably hit more before the season ends. Soriano is tied for 2^nd with Albert Pujols in the National League for homeruns - in 1^st, is none other than Ryan Howard. Soriano is 1 stolen base away from becoming the 4^th player in baseball history to hit 40 homeruns and steal 40 bases in one season. And if he keeps stealing bases and hitting homeruns before the season ends, he might become the first player ever to have 50 homeruns and 50 stolen bases in one season.  "It could happen..." (as quoted from "Angels in the Outfield").

Okay enough on the best hitters in baseball here are the best pitchers: Johan Santana or as I call him (The K Machine) is leading the majors in the top 3 categories: Wins, Strikeouts, and pitching ERA.  He has 18 wins this season, 230 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.75. Santana won a Cy Young Award in 2004 and it seems he is heading towards another. His last start, he struck out 11 batters only allowing 2 hits and no runs and it was against the AL Central Leaders the Detroit Tigers. Like Ryan Howard, Santana seems to be unstoppable as well. His rookie teammate Francisco Liriano is off the DL after recovering from his elbow injury and will pitch today. Twins are leading the AL wild Card and they need Liriano and Santana in their rotation if they are to make it to October.

The Florida Marlins Ace pitcher Dontrelle Willis pitched last Monday. He struck out 12 batters, only allowed 3 hits and no runs against the Phillies. He received the win of the game a complete game and a shutout to go with his 3 hitter. His next start will be Friday against the Braves.

Photos from: ESPN.com