MVP and CY Young Updates: Pedroia Bursts Onto Scene

We have about a month remaining in the 2008 MLB regular season and here are some players that could win some hardware when it is all said and done.

AL MVP: Dustin Pedroia BOS
This has been the hottest sports topic the past few days and I thought this would be a good place to start. The best candidates are 2B Dustin Pedroia and OF Carlos Quentin. Both of these men are having fantastic years, but Pedroia is the most valuable. When Boston traded Manny to LA, someone needed to step up and rip the cover off the ball. That man has been Pedroia. This kid is dominating opposing pitchers and seems to get three hits a night. Right now he is hitting cleanup in the Boston lineup and in the series against Chicago was intentionally walked by Ozzie Guillen because he was scared of 5'6" Pedroia's big bat. No doubt in my mind as of right now, Pedroia is the AL MVP.

AL Cy Young: Cliff Lee CLE
This is the easiest award to hand out. Hands down Cliff Lee has! been the best pitcher in the American League. The numbers do not lie; 20-2, 2.32 ERA, 149 strikeouts on a losing team. It would be a travesty if Lee did not win this award.

NL MVP: Hanley Ramirez FLA
There is no one player on any of the playoff contenders that jumps out to me. The Cubs, Brewers, Mets, and Phillies are getting contributions from everywhere on the field. I see Hanley as the MVP because Florida would not be anywhere near first in the NL East without him. Look at the numbers: .295 average, 29 HRs, 61 RBIs, and 31 SBs. This guy is the MVP of the National League right now.

NL Cy Young: CC Sabathia MIL
This is the toughest race for me to call. Brandon Webb is just as deserving as Sabathia and he has played the full season in the NL, while Sabathia has only played half a season. But, what CC has done in Milwaukee is amazing. He throws complete game shutouts nearly every start and strikes out double digits nearly every start! . Right now, I have to give Sabathia the NL Cy Young.