This weekend Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays Series?

Considering that the Red Sox are 5.5 games out of first with both NY and TB tied for first, 2 things have to happen. 1. Red Sox sweep the Rays with Buchholz unreal and Lester/Lackey - good. And in the Yanks/WSox series, the Yankees need to sweep or win 2 of out 3 in that series for any separation at all to occur.

Tons of Yankees fans are going to ruthlessly root for the Red Sox to win this weekend, but the problem is that if the Yankees lose as well, then we have a 3 team race for the AL East with serious talks of any 3 of them taking that AL East title.

Having said that, I'm going to say Lester and Buchholz win, Lackey leaving the game during a high scoring affair and getting at best an ND. While constantly checking the scoreboard for THIS game, I'm going to be glued to my Yankee game that's about to start. Hey, it's already red sox 2-0!

The Rays will win 2 out of the 3. They know they have to win to keep the Red Sox down. The Rays have beaten the Red Sox 8 out of the 12 meetings they had so far. But as long as the Rays don't make mistakes they should win it. After all the Rays, who will be beginning a stretch of 18 straight games within the division, have been incredible at home of late, winning 19 of their past 24 games at the Trop since the beginning of July -- the best home record in the majors over that time.

I would love it if the Red Sox won all three games of the series. It would make the AL East and wildcard that much more intense and interesting for the stretch run of the season. However, since we are being realistic, Boston wins two at best and here is how it happens. Matchups:

Lester v Price: I don't really need to go through hitters and their stats against this guy because he has just been phenomenal ever since the Rays made him a starter late last season. The Red Sox might keep it close for awhile but behind the offense of Crawford, Longoria and Pena and Price's cy young season pitching, the Rays will no doubt take game one.

Buchholz v Garza: Buchholz has been nothing but superb this season and is also deserving of a cy young. He is 15-5 with a 2.26 ERA... in the AMERICAN LEAGUE. ERAS don't tend to be that low in any league but especially in the American League. It is phenomenal. Oh and did I mention he has to face the Yankees, Rays and home run hitting Blue Jays on a pretty regular basis. Yeah, I'm gonna give the nod to Buchholz who will continue his dominance and increase on his 20 inning scoreless streak and three starts without giving up an earned run. Even a meager offensive effort by Boston will be enough for the hard throwing Buchholz.

Lackey v Shields: A Pretty even matchup with both guys at an ERA over 4. Shields has a worse record and has been more inconsistent than Lackey who also has not been great. This game will come down to matchups and most likely bullpens in the 7th-9th innings. Tampa hitters hit Lackey pretty well especially the two without significant number of ABS; Crawford and Pena, both with over .300 averages. JD Drew on the other hand has dominated Shields with an over 400 average. Other guys with at least 20 ABS and over 300 averages include Lowell and Ortiz. If the Red Sox get enough of an effort out of Lackey. like I said he has to at least go 6 and get offense from these three guys they will win this game and be right back in the playoff race which is remarkable considering the injuries and what they had to overcome. In any other diviision the Red Sox might be leading right now or would at least be 1, 2 games max out of the race.

The Rays and Yankees have had plenty of chances to just put the Sox away for good. I mean we could easily be ten games back right now, but we're not - the Sox just won't give up or go away. Tampa has another chance in this series, if they sweep Boston it's pretty much over, I think. Winning 2 out of 3 puts the us 6.5 back, which still - doesn't look good. But the Sox have surprised us all season and I think they could again:

Call me crazy, but here's my prediction: the Red Sox sweep the series. I know that's what every Sox fan is thinking about in the back of their minds, a sweep, and I'm just going to say it out loud. Although I would have liked Lester against Felix Hernandez I love him going up against David Price; a great match-up which could go either way. The next day we have Buchholz on the mound, who's been one of the best pitchers in the AL this season, and we've actually done well against Garza this year. And the third day.. Lackey and Shields can both be inconsistent at tunes, but Lackey can surprise you.. and maybe he will. So I'm putting my faith in the Sox and believing they can sweep - even though it sounds insane and looks pretty unrealistic. And even though a sweep is really necessary in order to gain more ground, since time is running out, I think I'll be okay with them winning 2 out of 3 too. But they'll sweep! Just watch ;-)

Red Sox will win 2 out of 3 they need to win this series.

Rays have had the sox Number past three years and Matt garza and price have dominated the sox this year.

Rays take 2 of 3.

Red Sox win on Saturday and SUnday

Predictions don't mean squat. No one can possibly know in advance what will happen in a baseball game. Absolutely anything can happen, from a perfect game to a comeback from a 10-run deficit.

Agreed that to have any good shot at the playoffs, the Sox will have to sweep. Even 2 of 3 wins only gains 1 game in the standings.

It will be a long shot for the Sox to make the playoffs, regardless. They gave a great effort, but there were far too many key injuries for them to contend this year.

One of the very few times where I'll actually want the Red Sox to win.

TB has owned Boston this year but as time goes along those kind of things usually sorta die out.... I'm going to predict that Boston takes the series, in what order I have no idea....

in the mean while I'll gues that NY loses the series to the White Sox .... by the 30th the division will go as so

Yankees -

Rays -

Red Sox 4.5