Baltimore Orioles (64-90) at Red Sox (88-67)
SP - Josh Beckett (13-5, 2.50) vs. Tommy Hunter (4-4, 4.81)
*** Red Sox Magic Number to Clinch a Playoff Spot - 7 ***
*** Lineups not posted yet. ***
Three Strikes:
1. Josh Beckett takes the mound tonight with a chance to calm the nerves of teammates and fans alike. The Red Sox are holding on for dear life as the Rays make a late charge to claim the Wild Card and all that stands between a playoff berth and a line on the Zakim Bridge are Beckett and his co-ace Jon Lester.
Pitching has been a major issue during Boston's nosedive from first place this September. As a pitching staff they have 5.98 ERA which is the biggest reason they are 5-15 this month. With a starting rotation consisting of Tim Wakefield, Erik Bedard, and John Lackey cannot afford to lose on the nights that Beckett and Lester pitch. It's that simple.
No pressure Josh.
2. On a positive note, the Red Sox investment in Adrian Gonzalez (.340 BA, 27 HR, 114 RBI, .967 OPS) has been worth every penny. Hopefully they will convince Jacoby Ellsbury (.319, 28, 98, .915) to ignore Scott Boras and sign a lucrative long-term deal to stay in Boston.
3. PLAYOFF RACE: The Rays (2 games behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card) and Yankees (6 games ahead of the Red Sox in the East) are playing a doubleheader in New York today.
If all goes perfectly for the Red Sox (and when has it lately?) they would be 3.5 games up in the Wild Card race with 7 games to play. Of course, they could be staring at a 0.5 game lead as well.
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