Pujols' Push for MVP

"Any calculator can reveal the numbers Albert Pujols needs this final weekend of the season to run down his second National League batting title. What it will take for the Cardinals' first baseman to also claim his second NL MVP is less quantifiable.

It's not awarded just for crunching numbers; it's can come from numbers in the crunch. On Friday, he did both until he could do neither. Finishing out of the postseason is a mitigating factor for Pujols' MVP candidacy, as historically the writers who vote side with hitters who powered their teams to the playoffs.

For Pujols, Friday's campaign stop included three hits, a game-tying home run in the fifth inning and more stumping from manager Tony La Russa.

"Albert is a great player," La Russa said. "He plays defense like a maniac. He runs the bases. He is in the tradition of the great Cardinals players. He is one of the great players playing today. And he shows it on a daily basis." Friday was Pujols' second consecutive three-hit game and his third consecutive multi-hit start. He raised his average from .348 to .357. The homer was his seventh hit in seven consecutive at-bats.

"Is he hot?" La Russa said. "He got a pitch to hit, and he hit."