Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies - Box Score - August 28, 2009 - ESPN

Ryan Howard is really on a tear.

Pujols has seemed like a lock for the NL MVP, but if Howard stays this hot, he's going to put up massive enough numbers to mount a challange. Since August 9, when he had a 4-for-4 game, he has put up 11 homers and 32 RBI. That's all in just 19 games. In seven of those 19 games he has had three RBI or more.

Best Ryan Howard stat of the year: he is 5-for-5 in stolen bases. Before this year he had only two stolen bases in 550 games, and was also caught twice. In his first 250 MLB games he had no steals at all, and only one attempt.

Best SERIOUS stat. Thr big fella has never had fewer than 135 RBI in a full season, and has never had fewer than 47 dingers. (He is on pace for 48-143 at the moment, which is pretty much what he does every year.)