After nearly a full month of agonizing losses and a steady decline in the standings, the Red Sox and Rays are officially tied for the lead atop the American League Wild Card race. Boston and Tampa have identical 89-71 records with two days remaining in the season. The Red Sox will finish their schedule in Baltimore while the Rays will play the Yankees in their final two.
Josh Beckett allowed six runs on seven hits in six innings of work, as the Sox were unable to come by a quality start once again. Regardless of what happens in tomorrow’s games, the fate of the Red Sox will be decided on the final day of the season, when a mere month ago, playoff baseball seemed like a certainty in New England. The Rays have climbed back to the top after trailing by 9.5 games in early September. Boston has suffered a collapse of epic proportions in the last month, which makes you wonder, even if they get in, will they win a single playoff game?
At this point, that seems doubtful. The starting pitching has been atrocious during this disastrous stretch, and it does not appear to be getting any better.
