Sunday’s Roto Roundup: Joey Votto For NL MVP?

Jason Heyward reached base 6 times, going 4-4 with 2 HRs and driving in 4 runs on Sunday. Heyward needed this game to break out of the slump he is in. Coming into today's game he had just 1 HR and 8 RBIs since the All Star break.

Heyward's teammate Mike Minor had his best outing as a major leaguer, giving up 3 runs in 6 innings of work, and struck out 12. In his 3 starts, Minor has a 22-4 K/BB rate in 19 innings.

Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro went 4-5 with a run scored on Sunday, and is now hitting .316-.363-.438 with 3 HRS, 37 RBIs and 6 SBs in 345 at bats. I am curious what he is capable of in 2011. Is a .300 BA-10 HR-20 SB season in his future?

Robinson Cano went 2-5 with a grand slam and 6 RBIs on Sunday. Should they just give him the MVP already? Cano is now up to 25 HRs and 86 RBIs on the season. He's certainly the #1 second baseman for fantasy purposes, but can he duplicate his great season in 2011?

Should Cano not win the MVP, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton could win it. Hamilton went 2-4 with a HR and 3 RBIs on Sunday, and is hitting .357-.409-.630 with 28 HRs and 88 RBIs on the season.

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz won his 15th game of the season on Sunday and is making a run at the Cy Young award for sure. He shutout the Blue Jays for 6 innings, giving up 8 baserunners and striking out 7. He lowered his ERA to 2.26. It just goes to show that being patient with young starting pitchers is worth the wait sometimes.

Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin shutout the Diamondback for 7.2 innings, giving up just 4 baserunners and striking out 9. He lowered his ERA to 3.98, and I think he is a breakout candidate in 2011. He has a 102-44 K/BB ratio in 95 innings pitched.

Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw had another solid outing, giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks, and struck out 11 Reds, but took the loss. He threw first pitch strikes to 23 of the 30 batters he faced.

Kerhsaw was out-dueled by Reds starter Bronson Arroyo who held the Dodgers to 2 runs on 7 hits and struck out 6. Arroyo is now 14-7 on the season with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 2-4 with a HR and 3 RBIs on Sunday. Votto is now hitting .323-.422-.592 with 29 HRs and 86 RBIs on the season. Votto has to be the favorite for NL MVP as he is leading the league in hitting, is second in RBIs and is third in HRs. What are the chances he wins the Triple Crown this season? 5%??

After Sunday's game, the Marlins gave up Cody Ross to the Giants who claimed him a few days ago. With the move the Marlins will call up AAA outfielder Cameron Maybin. Is 2011 the season where Maybin puts it all together for fantasy owners?