Jacob deGrom already has two National League Cy Young Awards to his name, and is currently on pace to add a third. But that might not be the most noteworthy honor that the sport's most dominant pitcher takes home in 2021.
BetOnline Sportsbook says that deGrom is now also the favorite to win the National League MVP Award at +200, edging out Fernando Tatís Jr. of the San Diego Padres (+225) and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves (+350).
While deGrom hasn't necessarily been a workhorse in 2021, he's having one of the most dominant seasons in MLB history. Across 10 starts this season, the 32-year-old righty has a minuscule 0.56 ERA and 0.92 FIP, along with a 3.7 fWAR, the highest mark among all starting pitchers.
Perhaps the only thing that could keep deGrom from winning his third National League Cy Young Award in four seasons is health. deGrom did have an injured list stint earlier this year with a right side injury, and left his latest start with some right elbow discomfort. The good news is that deGrom had an MRI on the elbow, and it came back clear. All indications are that he'll start for the Mets, who currently lead the National League East, on Wednesday.
The bad news is that, right or wrong, a pitcher has to have what's seen as an all-time season to win an MVP. One or two bad starts can essentially take you out of the running. Since 2000, the only pitchers to win their league's MVP Award are Justin Verlander (2011) and Clayton Kershaw (2014). deGrom posted a 1.70 ERA, 1.99 FIP and staggering 9.0 fWAR in 2018, but finished just fifth in National League MVP Award voting.
What deGrom has working for him this time around is that he's become appointment television, and - with the exception of the foreign substances scandal - has been the story of the 2021 season thus far.
Additionally, deGrom has added value at the plate as well. In what may be the final season of pitchers hitting in the National League, deGrom is hitting .400 with five RBIs in 25 at-bats. He's literally driven in more runs than he's allowed on the mound in 2021.
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