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NL's MVP favorites facing off
By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer
Published October 3, 2007
PHILADELPHIA - This NL Division Series isn't just a pairing of two similarly stacked teams on remarkable rolls. It's also a matchup between the leading candidates for the NL MVP Award: Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins and Rockies LF Matt Holliday.
Rollins hit .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and 41 steals, leading the NL with 139 runs and logging an NL shortstop record 88 extra-base hits while becoming the first player to have 30 homers, steals and doubles plus 20 triples.
Holliday hit an NL-best .340 with 36 homers and an NL-best 137 RBIs, as well as 92 extra-base hits (including 50 doubles) and 382 total bases.
Colorado manager Clint Hurdle had high praise for Rollins - just not high enough.
"I think he's the second-best player in the National League this year; he's had a tremendous year," Hurdle said. "Matt Holliday, for us, is the MVP. A combination of power, hand-eye coordination, batting average, the doubles. The runs he's driven in this year have been significant. ... He's the No.3 hitter in a good lineup."
MEDICAL MATTER: The Phillies aren't sure of the status of C Carlos Ruiz, who was hit on the left elbow by a pitch Sunday. They plan to carry two other catchers, Rod Barajas and Chris Coste, and left RHP Adam Eaton, who has a three-year, $24.5-million contract, off the roster.
MISCELLANY: Both teams are concerned about the likely shadows as a result of the 3 p.m. start and say it should favor the pitchers. ... Hurdle said Holliday would have a nice "medal of honor" on his chin but no other issues from his rough landing in scoring the winning run Monday. ... Ex-Rays C Pete LaForest spent the last month with the Phillies - saying to be part of Sunday's division-clinching was "unbelievable" - but was left off the playoff roster. ... In Arizona, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said he plans to start ace RHP Carlos Zambrano on three days' rest if the series against the Diamondbacks goes four games.
Information from Times wires was used in this report.
[Last modified October 3, 2007, 10:04:45]
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