With fewer than 20 games left in the Minnesota Twins’ 2012 season, Joe Mauer is ranked fourth in the AL batting race and nine points behind the first-place Mike Trout.
Despite this slightly overwhelming gap this late in the season, Mauer should not be counted out as the 2012 AL batting champion.
This article examines current statistical trends of the AL’s top five hitters to determine Mauer’s favorable odds in winning the batting title for the fourth time in seven seasons.