Crowds are flocking to Dodger Stadium for more than just the momentum behind the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs: Clayton Kershaw’s winning arm has fans and analysts talking about the MVP award.

Kershaw would be the first pitcher to win the National League MVP award since 1968 -- he’s 21-3 this season, with 239 strikeouts. Kershaw’s pitching has been a driving force behind the Dodgers’ season, which included a no-hitter and major victory over the Giants as a division clincher in which Kershaw hit a run-scoring triple. Kershaw’s major competition for the National League MVP award is Gioancarlo Stanton of the Marlins and Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates.

Some critics argue that the MVP honor should go to position players and hitters because pitchers have their own distinction, the Cy Young Award, but many still have Kershaw pegged as a likely winner. In the American League, Angels outfielder Mike Trout is a top contender for MVP. As the Dodgers and Angels both enter the playoffs in their respective leagues, Southern Californians are weighing the odds of a winning team in Los Angeles, or even a “Freeway Series.”

Which LA teams will dominate in the playoffs? Who stands the best chance of winning an MVP award?

Guests:

Bill Shaikin, Baseball Writer, Los Angeles Times

Ryan Fagan, MLB writer at Sporting News