BTW wouldn't a three way wildcard shootout be fun? Flip a coin to determine the rivals in a game beginning at 11:00 on Thursday morning, and then fly the winner to the home field of the third team for an 8:30 night game. And given how they've all played, make the survivor fly Coach for the rest of the postseason.

I remember hearing about an old game that three teams played in, rotating like in 187. I think it was the Dodgers, Giants, and Yankees when they were all in New York.

I assume it would have been a good accomplishment just for it to be his own most embarrassing swing-and-miss this season.

And judging from the Yanks' lineup, it looks like they're giving the Sox a sympathy ####.

I'm pretty stunned to see Drew back in the Sox line-up.

Guy has seen live pitching once in the past 3 months in a AAA rehab game a month ago. What could possibly go wrong?

God, if the Sox somehow do pull it out, Ray will be insufferable

I really thought there'd be one stage this month where the team would simply string together 3-4 wins in spite of giving up 5-6 runs a game.

They have to start three outfielders. You want Reddick and Ellsbury out there, but there needs to be a third, too.

Maybe Drew is the guy to put out on the field and give them some pathologically low-affect performance. I got no idea. Maybe he's not ready and will suck. I got no idea. I don't think you do either.

I grant nothing Francona has done yet has worked, but we just don't have good information to go with here.

I also thought that at some point, one of the bad pitchers would throw a good game. I guess Lackey did, two starts ago. But that's the only one.

Jose and Dale saw early on that this club was actually playing bad baseball, not just getting poor baseball results.

I still think that it was reasonable to expect that they would shake off their funk - usually, streaks end sooner than later - but they haven't.

Jose and Dale saw early on that this club was actually playing bad baseball, not just getting poor baseball results.

I still think that it was reasonable to expect that they would shake off their funk - usually, streaks end sooner than later - but they haven't.

With our 'horses' going in BALT, there's still a non-zero chance the Sox can win if they can just stop making dumb early mistakes and stop giving up.

By "now", I mean the next inning, of course.

If Lackey allows only 1 run this inning, I will consider it a success.

I'd much, much rather choke away the Wild Card to the Rays instead of the Angels.

So we've got that going for us.

When do we ask how the #### this team played well for three months rather than how are they playing so bad?

Pretty sure the Red Sox won't win another game all season long. I predict a season-ending sweep by the Orioles.

It might take an Orioles sweep to get the Rays into the WC.

It might take an Orioles sweep to get the Rays into the WC.

Nah. I expect the Rays to win the series against the Yanks.

Quick! Name the only non-American on the field for the Sox!

Can we talk about how Varitek is doing nothing to make him worth playing? Why the #### not give Lavarnway a shot? Varitek has 1 hit all month, and he's making throwing errors and can't catch anyone stealing, sucks at framing pitches, and is below average at blocking pitches.

Honestly (and selfishly) I'm hoping for a one-game playoff between the Sox and the Rays. Those are lots of fun.

Who are the probable starting pitchers for the Yankees the next 3 games?

Lackey has nothing. They have to pull him soon.

The Red Sox for five months played exactly as they were projected to play.

And a team that traded Napoli for Vernon Wells and his contract shouldn't be rewarded with making a playoff spot.