Red Sox vs. Rays (September 17, 2011)

Tampa Bay Rays (83-67) at Red Sox (87-63)

SP - Jon Lester (15-7, 3.07) vs. Jeff Niemann (10-7, 3.97)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Josh Reddick, RF
6. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
7. Carl Crawford, LF
8. Mike Aviles, 3B
9. Marco Scutaro, SS

Three Strikes:

1. Terry Francona is one of the best managers in the game of baseball but because he is the skipper of a $180-million team, he rarely gets mentioned as a serious candidate as Manager of the Year. 

When the Red Sox finally close the door on the Rays and Angels to clinch the Wild Card (which will be the franchise's sixth trip to the playoffs in Francona's eight years as manager) I hope that the Baseball Writer's of America take note of the job Francona has done this year when they submit their ballots.

He has led the team from a dismal 2-10 start to the third best record in the A.L. and the fifth best record in baseball.  He has managed a pitching staff that has suffered serious injuries (Clay Buchholz, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Bobby Jenks, Rich Hill) and has been victimized by poor performances (John Lackey).  Like with the pitching staff, he has juggled his lineup all year to work around injuries (Kevin Youkilis, Jed Lowrie, Marco Scutaro, J.D. Drew) and a terrible year by Carl Crawford.  Never mind the pressure of Boston's fans and media. 

All that and his team is heading toward the playoffs.  It might not be enough to beat out Jim Leyland or Joe Maddon but Francona has once again done an excellent job.

2. The Red Sox once again got encouraging news about Buchholz, who threw off the mound at Fenway Park earlier today.  The Sox hope to get Buchholz some game action in the final series of the year at Baltimore to try and determine what he could offer in the playoffs.

If he is healthy and able to contribute, Buchholz could build arm strength working out of the bullpen while hopefully - if the Red Sox advance - joining Josh Beckett and Jon Lester at the top of the rotation for the ALCS and World Series.

3. Try and picture John Lackey pitching in a Padres uniform next year with the Red Sox paying no less than 80% of his contract.

It's just not going to work out in Boston.