Alex Rodriguez' Big Night Puts Him Right Back Into the MVP Race

With three home runs and five RBIs in Saturday night's game against the Royals, Alex Rodriguez has put himself right into the middle of the American League MVP race this year.

A-Rod smacked his first home run of the night in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie, giving the Yanks a 2-1 lead. It was also the first of three Yankee home runs in the inning, as Jorge Posada and Curtis Granderson would go back to back.

He hit a two-run shot the following inning to straightaway center field, bouncing off the hitter's back drop.

A-Rod completed the hat trick as he launched his third home run to deep left field, which was also a two-run shot and sealed the victory for the Yanks, 8-3.

This marks the fourth time that A-Rod has hit three home runs in one game, and his first since April 26, 2005, where he drove in ten runs against the Angels.

After belting his three home runs and driving in five runs on Saturday, A-Rod has planted himself right in the middle of the MVP race.

He now leads the league in RBI with 97, has 21 home runs, and .268 batting average. You have to say that he is right in the mix for a chance to win his fourth MVP award this year.

Right now, I would have to give Josh Hamilton the award, but a lot can change with about a month and a half to go this season. A-Rod could still be the MVP, despite having a down year offensively, by his standards.