Arenado’s MVP chase, the Tooth Trot and Redbirds

With a third of the season remaining, it’s looking like a two-way race between Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman and Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado for National League MVP.

There are a few things to consider here. First off all, neither all-star has ever finished in the top three in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Second, the race could very well come down to which team plays better down the stretch. If the Braves beat out the Phillies for the NL East title, Freeman will garner some momentum, but if the Rockies find a way to beat out the Dodgers and Diamondbacks for Colorado’s first division title, Arenado will win the award.

Freeman is a terrific first baseman, but he doesn’t change a game on the diamond the way Arenado does.

Entering the weekend, here’s a basic statistical comparison:

Freeman: .315 batting average, 18 home runs, 69 RBIS, .926 OPS and 4.6 WAR

Arenado: .308 batting average, 28 home runs, 80 RBIS, .983 OPS and 4.3 WAR Some hit-and-run notes from the road:

• Every time I go to St. Louis, I’m struck by the same three thoughts. First, the Cardinals mean as much, or more, to their city, state and region as the all-mighty Broncos mean to Colorado. Second, the Cardinals’ classic, colorful and traditional uniforms are the best in baseball.

Third, the Rockies usually play terrible baseball at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals have won every home series against the Rockies since 2010 and are 34-13 at Busch Stadium III all-time vs. the Rockies, the highest winning percentage (.723) against any National League team at the ballpark.

• When I was walking the through tunnel at Miller Park before Friday night’s game between the Rockies and Brewers, I spotted one of Milwaukee’s “Famous Racing Sausages.” Even from a distance, I could tell it was “Chorizo,” because of the sombrero.

The Sausage Race is cool because the costumes are great and it embodies the various ethnic cultures of Milwaukee.

The Presidents Race at Nationals Park, featuring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt is also terrific. The big-headed caricatures are a hoot, and the theme is perfect for the nation’s capital.

As for what goes on at Coors Field, with the racing toothbrush, molar and toothpaste, let me just say — “I still can’t han-