(Sports Network) - The Baseball Writers' Association of America will continue to hand out their postseason awards this afternoon, as the National League's Most Valuable Player will be announced.

As many as 15 players could appear on the ballot, but it seems to be a two-man race between a pair of first basemen who have already won this award in St. Louis' Albert Pujols and Philadelphia's Ryan Howard.

Pujols, who has already been named the Sporting News Player of the Year and the NL's Most Outstanding Player this offseason, finished second to Atlanta's Chipper Jones in the NL batting race, hitting .357 with 37 home runs and 116 runs batted in during the 2008 season, and did so while playing with a torn ligament in his right elbow.

The 28-year-old's 104 walks, .462 on-base percentage and 1.115 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) were all career-highs. He is also the only major leaguer to hit at least 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs in each of his first eight seasons.

Pujols won this award back in 2005 and should he win today it would mark the 16th time a Cardinals player has been honored. Their total of MVP winners is the most in the NL and second only to the New York Yankees' 20 MVPs in the American League.

Howard, meanwhile, won this award in 2006 and will be trying to give the Phillies their third straight MVP. Shortstop Jimmy Rollins took home the trophy a year ago.

Howard, who will turn 29 on Wednesday, led the majors with 48 home runs and 146 RBI, but batted just .251 with 199 strikeouts. Howard, though, was particularly effective down the stretch for the World Series champion Phillies, hitting .352 (31-for-88) with seven doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, 32 RBI and 26 runs scored in September.

However, no everyday player has won an MVP in either league and hit less than .267.

Milwaukee's CC Sabathia and Ryan Braun, Los Angeles' Manny Ramirez, Chicago's Aramis Ramirez and New York's Carlos Delgado and David Wright will also get some consideration.