Is it me or has there been more Triple Crown talk this year than in the recent past? I heard rumblings earlier about the Triple Crown pursuits of Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Gonzalez.

It’s a novelty achievement, obviously, but nonetheless one that requires a pretty excellent season.

And now it’s pretty clear to me that Albert Pujols is going to win the Triple Crown.

All of a sudden, El Hombre is leading the National League in home runs and RBIs. He is only .007 off the batting-average lead currently held by Joey Votto, a difference Pujols could close in an evening if the opposing pitcher angers him somehow.

Oh, and the funniest part about that? This is actually one of Pujols’ worst seasons of his career.

Certainly, with three men ahead of Pujols in the batting average race and plenty in the mix in the other categories, the odds are against him. But bet against Albert Pujols at your own peril.