With Red Sox Surging Pedroia Has Been The Sparkplug, MVP

Five weeks ago, 2B Dustin Pedroia saved the Boston Red Sox from the embarrassment of being no-hit at Fenway Park. Now the gritty and beloved second baseman has saved the team's season. 

Pedroia, who turned 25 last month, has been red hot with the bat since the beginning of August, turning in 11 multiple hit games, including back-to-back four-hit games over the weekend. He has been the spark-plug for the Red Sox after the team got a face lift when they traded star outfielder Manny Ramirez. 

Since the now famous day "Manny being Manny" was sent packing the Red Sox are 20-9, and have created some breathing room in the wild-card race.

Pedroia has had plenty of help along the way, and most of the help wasn't even on the roster at the beginning of the year. Since August 1st, newly acquired LF Jason Bay has filled in more than adequately for the departed Ramirez, hitting with a .313 batting average, .353 on-base %, and .513 slugging % along with 4 HR and 29 RBI. 

SS Jed Lowrie, who was called up from Pawtucket to replace injured Julio Lugo, is getting the job done with .288/.372/.500 and 1 HR 26 RBI. 

RF Mark Kotsay was acquired last week to play while J.D. Drew mends a bad back, and Jonathan Van Every and Jeff Bailey were also called up from Pawtucket to provide bench support for the team while 3B Mike Lowell and 1B Sean Casey make their way back from respective trips to the DL. 

The trio has combined for a .347 batting average to go along with 2 HR and 11 RBI.

With so many big name players for Boston either traded away (Manny Ramirez), on the DL (J.D. Drew, Sean Casey, Mike Lowell), or sick (Kevin Youkilis and Coco Crisp) over the weekend series against the White Sox, it was impressive to see the Red Sox take two of three. 

Who was there to lead the way in a crucial series for the wild-card?  You guessed it: the 5'9 170 pounder from Woodland, CA. 

Pedroia went 9-for-12 with five runs scored and four stolen bases, reaching base 12 out of 15 times.  It's not so impressive that he can get so many hits, but the manner in which he does it. 

Pitches out of the zone, off the plate, in on the hands, in the dirt, or around the neck.  Wherever it is thrown right now he can put it into play.

Pedroia is the choice right now for MVP.  He can hit for power (16 HR), he can hit for average (league leading .330 average), has driven in tons of runs (75 RBI).  He can use the glove to his advantage as well.  He has just 6 errors at 2B and is on the short list for a Gold Glove.  But it is Pedroia's leadership that makes him the most VALUABLE player. 

It has been a roller coaster season for the Red Sox; record road trip to start the year, the brawl with the Rays, the Manny/Youk slapfest, the "Manny being Manny" moments and subsequent trade, and now a rash of injuries/illnesses to Red Sox starters.  And who has been the constant day in and day out for the 2008 Boston Red Sox?