There was a clear-cut MVP for the SF Giants in the first half of the season

The SF Giants had several candidates for team MVP through the first half, but it is hard to argue against Robbie Ray being the team's most valuable player. The left-handed pitcher had an amazing start to the season.

In 20 starts on the year, Ray has a 9-3 record with a 2.65 ERA in 119 innings pitched. He has had 128 strikeouts compared to 44 walks and has a WHIP of 1.08. Those numbers were good enough to earn him his second career All-Star nod.

Robbie Ray was the MVP for the SF Giants in the first half

Not only that, but the Giants have a record of 15-5 when Ray takes the mound. That is so huge to have what is essentially a co-ace who goes out there and gives the guys playing behind him confidence that they are going to win the game.

What makes Ray's season more remarkable is the fact that he was a pretty big X factor for the team coming into the year. It was unclear what should be expected from him after last season as he only had seven starts fresh off his Tommy John recovery.

The trade with the Seattle Mariners to bring Ray in keeps looking more and more like a stroke of genius by Farhan Zaidi so credit where credit is due.

While a strong case can be made for Ray as the team's first-half MVP, there are other candidates as well. Randy Rodríguez has been phenomenal out of the bullpen with his 0.86 ERA and was well deserving of an All-Star nod so a first half MVP case can be made for him too. Logan Webb has been as steady and consistent as ever and had himself a nice All-Star Game.

Even on the offensive side there are some guys who could be argued for. Wilmer Flores was huge for the team early on even if he has cooled off a bit at the plate and seen a bit of a reduced role since the Rafael Devers trade. Matt Chapman's absence showed how sorely he is missed when he is not on the field and Heliot Ramos was often the lone bright spot on offense in the first half.

Yet, the team's strength is its pitching which is why Ray is most deserving of unofficial MVP honors. The Giants will need him and the rest of the pitching staff to keep it going in the second half if they want to make the playoffs.