Red Sox Cruise, And Win...Boston 5 Cleveland 4

Alhough Paul Byrd's ex-teammates bruised and battered him for 11 hits and 4 runs, the Boston bullpen came to the rescue in the 6th inning and slammed the door shut. Jeff Bailey's pinch hit triple in the eighth plated the go ahead run and the Red Sox won their 93rd game of this 2008 season. The final score was Boston 5 Cleveland 4. The Rays reduced their magic number to one with a win over pitiful Baltimore, so it looks like a trip to California is in the offing for the defending world champions. Whether the Angels decide to start the series on Wednesday with an extra day off or on Thursday will determine if Boston will need three starters or four. I wrote yesterday that if a fourth starter would be needed, it should be Paul Byrd rather than Tim Wakefield. I've changed my mind...it's OK, it happens all the time. I think Tim Wakefield will get the call if a fourth guy is needed.

Dustin Pedroia had another two hit game as he continues to shine in the field AND at the plate. And Wednesday marked the return of the back-hobbled JD Drew, who played rightfield and was in there for three innings. Clearly he has some kinks to work out. This is what he had to say after the game...

"It went well. It (the back) got a little stiff, but not too bad," said Drew, who went on the disabled list on Aug. 18 with a strained lower back. "I really didn't expect to get as jelly-legged as I did out there. But when you think that I'm not doing anything for five or six weeks except sit down and lay down ... we've got some catching up to do."

Peter here, and it was great to see him back. He will DH tonight, with Big Papi and Pedey Pedroia getting a well-deserved night off. Jon Lester will make his last regular season appearance until we see him in game one or game two of the ALDS, and he'll be opposed by Jeremy Sowers. I'm happy that Tito Francona is selectively resting some of his starters for a game or two
so that everyone will be fresh and ache-free come October. If we go by the past history of the Angels and Boston, it would look like a favorable matchup, but don't let history be your only guide-they have a tough team, a talented one with tons of hitting, good starting pitching and the best closer in all of baseball. Speaking of closers, Jonathon Papelbon had the night off last night and I wouldn't be surprised to see him have another one tonight. He was so dominant in last year's postseason, and we need him to be just as effective this year. The pitching rotation looks good, with Beckett, Lester (or maybe the reverse), Matsuzaka and Wakefield slated to go. Of course, anything can change at the last minute, but I'm pretty sure that's the way things will unfold.

Have a great Thursday as September slowly morphs into Ocober, the month where baseball dreams flourish or die a slow, agonizing and tear filled death. I'll take the first option, please. You can click on this post's title for more on everything Sox, and your comments are always welcome. I'm headed for the ice pack, for if I sit behind the computer typing anything for more than thirty minutes, the aching becomes somewhat severe. But enough about that! GO SOX, and as always, BE WELL. I love ya all!! Why? Because you're the best. AND SO ARE THE RED SOX. OUR Red Sox, always and forever.