Just as the 2012 season couldnt possibly get any worse, after Buchholz was shelled in his last start last night and our small dreams of spoiling the Yankees seemed to die, we find out that Pedroia broke his finger sliding into second base and his season is done. At this point, it didnt even matter, but it was still just another demoralizing blow to add to the list.

Then this afternoon I went to Rotoworld.com to check any fantasy news that might be pertinent to my team for the final 2 days of the season, and I saw something that literally gave me chills.

Contrary to previous reports, Dustin Pedroia (finger) plans to play Tuesday night against the Yankees. Pedroia was expected to miss the final two games of the season after he was diagnosed with a broken left ring finger on Monday, but he's going to try to gut it out in an effort to play spoiler against the Yankees. "I will change the culture," said Pedroia. Source: Peter Gammons on Twitter

Pedroia is the heart and soul of the Red Sox. I'm not sure any of the awesome things he's done the past 6 seasons have ever shown that more than this. Assuming he has somehow convinced Bobby that he really IS playing tonight, the Red Sox will win.

To Baltimore: Dustin Pedroia is not the hero you deserve, but he's the one you need.