What happened: Stewart's candidacy rests on power and run production that stand out even as advanced metrics offer a less dominant view. He was named the National League's Rookie of the Month for August.
Why it matters: The vote tests how much weight awards voters give traditional counting stats when WAR points elsewhere. September performance can still influence the final comparison before ballots are cast.
By the numbers: Stewart entered September with 31 home runs and 105 RBIs. He hit .304 with an .879 OPS, eight homers and 21 RBIs in August.
What to watch: Watch whether Stewart adds to his home-run and RBI totals through the regular-season finish.