Sitting 5 1/2 games behind both the Yankees and Rays, the Boston Red Sox need to make a push for the playoffs before it’s too late. The Sox are coming off a series with the Seattle Mariners where they won two out of three. Boston was unable to complete the sweep on Wednesday at home against the Mariners in the second game of a double header. The pitching staff has been excellent of late, but will go up against a Tampa Bay lineup that sports formidable hitters such as Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena, and Carl Crawford. The opening game tonight of the two AL East rivals will feature two of the best pitchers in the American League. Second-year lefty David Price will take the mound for the visitors while Red Sox strike out leader Jon Lester will pitch for the home team. Price’s 100 MPH fastball and wicked slider have helped the 25-year-old to a record of 15-5, an ERA of 2.97. Price is certainly in the running for the AL Cy Young Award. If the Red Sox can somehow pick off a win against the Rays’ ace tonight. First pitch is at 7:10 ET in St. Petersburg.

The Boston Red Sox’s inability to stay healthy has been one of the most prevalent story lines this season. The latest Red Sox player to be added to the DL is catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The 25-year-old had barely played this season for Boston and he is already down with a injury. Red Sox catchers Jason Varitek, Victor Martinez, and Kevin Cash. The Red Sox have also lost Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Cameron, and Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox are currently 6.5 games back from the Yankees in the AL East and 5.5 games back from the Rays in the Wild Card. Despite all the injuries, the Red Sox just won a series with the Anaheim Angels and Boston’s schedule for the rest of the month doesn’t look too scary. Today, they start a home series with the Toronto Blue Jays (who they beat 2 out of 3 games in Toronto last week). There is still enough time left in the season for the Red Sox to catch the Yankees and Rays, but they are going to need to step up their play and some luck to make the playoffs in 2010.

The Boston Red Sox are dealing with some good news and some bad news. Let’s start with the bad. The team has lost one its most important ballplayers for the rest of the season in Kevin Youkilis. It was announced this past Thursday that Youk’s torn thumb muscle will end his 2010 season. Youkilis has been a rock in the Red Sox’s lineup this season, consistently hitting over .300 all season long. As the Red Sox push for the Wild Card, manager Terry Francona will need someone to step up and take #20’s place. Boston have already brought in possible replacement and free agent Carlos Delgado for a work out.  On the brighter side, Dustin Pedroia looks to be on the mend with news breaking that the former AL MVP could be back in the lineup by August 17th. The second basemen could give Boston a much needed boost after losing a leader like Youkilis for the season. The Red Sox will try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Yankees tonight at Yankee Stadium.

The month of July has been pretty terrible for the Boston Red Sox. This July the Sox have lost three series to the Devil Rays, Texas Rangers, and Oakland Athletics. The prospecting at winning a AL Central title this season looks to be far-fetched at best with Boston 7 games behind the surging Yankees. It does appear, however, the division runner’s up will have a good shot at winning the AL Wild Card. Adrian Beltre has continued his promience at the plate this season, but many of the Red Sox’s key contributors are slumping. David Ortiz has only knocked in 7 runs this month after totaling 22 RBI’s in June. Red Sox locker room leader Kevin Youkilis is hitting .328 this month, but has only accounted for 10 RBI’s himself. The Red Sox have been without former MVP Dustin Pedroia who is currently on the 15-DL with a foot injury. One positive this week will be the return of ace Josh Beckett to the mound. Boston’s beloved right hander will make his first start on Friday since April. The Red Sox will certainly need Beckett to return to top form if they want to challenge the Devil Rays and Yankees.

Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Dustin Pedoria, David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre, and Victor Martinez will represent the Boston Red Sox in the 2010 MLB All Star game in Anaheim, CA. Although no Red Sox made the AL starting roster, we should see a lot of our guys out there on Tuesday night. Ortiz will participate in the the MLB Home Run Derby. It’s amazing that Adrian Beltre isn’t starting for the AL after a terrific first half of the season. The third baseman is hitting .330 with 55 RBI’s thus far this season, but Evan Longoria got the nod. The biggest Red Sox All Star snubs would include Kevin Youkilis and Jonathan Papelbon. The Red Sox head into the All Star Break five games behind the Yankees in the AL Central. Hopefully the break will allow the Red Sox to recharge there engines for the rest of the season.

The Boston Red Sox have lost two in a row after falling to Tampa Bay in their crucial inter-divisional series Monday night.  The Sox bullied Rays’ starter Matt Garza (9-4 this season) early on in the game, but Tampa Bay’s relievers did just enough to secure the 6-5 victory at Tropicana Field. Boston looked to be on their way taking the second spot in the AL Central away from Tampa after jumping out to a 5-1 lead in the 4th inning. Newly acquired outfielder Eric Patterson knocked out two solo home runs, prompting Rays’ manager Joe Madden to send his young pitching star to hit the showers. Garza’s teammates bailed him out in the fifth inning when Evan Longoria knocked in Ben Zobrist on a sacrifice fly and Carl Crawford scored on passed ball. Catcher John Jaso tied the game up in the sixth inning with a two run single off Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Jason Bartlett had the game-winning single in the 7th. The Red Sox were unable to put any runs on the board after reliqushing the lead to Tampa. Rays’ closer Rafael Soriano earned his 22nd save of the year.

It might be difficult to take away any positives after last night Red Sox loss to the Colorado Rockies 8-6. Jonathan Papelbon gave up three runs in the ninth inning to give Rockies the win in Denver. The lead separating the Sox and the division leading Yankees is only 2.5 games, and no one is driving in runs in the Majors like Boston. David Ortiz has got his groove back with 15 RBI’s to his name this month, while Adrian Beltre continues to shine in his first year with the ball club. The Red Sox have eight regular starters hitting over .270 currently. If the Red Sox can keep swinging the bat the way they are the Red Sox will eventually close in on that AL East top spot. Tampa Bay appears to be on its way out of the second spot after going 3-7 in their last ten games. After a series with the San Francisco Giants this weekend, the Red Sox can dispose of the Rays themselves with a two game series at Fenway beginning Tuesday.

Over the last ten days, the Boston Red Sox have won series against New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Tampa Bay Rays. Last night the Red Sox completed their three game sweep of the AL East leading Tampa Bay Rays with a 11-3 whooping in St. Petersburg. Red hot Adrian Beltre had six RBI’s on four hits, raising his batting average to .341.  The Red Sox pitching has turned around recently not giving up more than three runs in more since their 7-6 win over the Yankees on May 17th. Designated hitter David Ortiz has come out of his slump finally, and looks to be hitting the baseball better than ever. Big Papi has raised his batting average from .143 to .266 just since April 30th. Clay Buscholz, Jon Lester, and John Lackey seem to have their stuff together after a rough start to the season as well. The Red Sox now have a a number of series against the likes of the Royals, the Athletics, Orioles, and Indians. With a schedule like that, the Red Sox could very well be challenging the Rays for the top spot in the AL East.

The 2010 MLB season has begun! There truly was no way better to start baseball season or close out Easter Sunday then watching the Red Sox take on the Yankees. It was a troubling beginning to the game, with Josh Beckett giving up 5 earned runs in four innings, but the Sox’s offense displayed their prowess knocking in 9 runs. Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard, and Jonathan Papelbon pitch three consecutive scoreless innings to secure the win for the Sox. Dustin Pedoria got off to a great start to the season, tying the ballgame in the 7th inning with a two run home run off of New York’s Chan Ho Park. Kevin Youkilis had three hits and two RBIs to start the year and new Red Sox Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron both had two hits. It was a disappointing start to the season for Josh Beckett, but it was announced today that the two-time World Series Champion pitcher has signed a four year extension. The Red Sox host the Yankees at Fenway tomorrow night at 7:10 ET.

The Boston Red Sox will head into the 2010 MLB season with one goal in mind: a return to the World Series. Winning it all in 2007 and 2004 has Red Sox fans expecting a championship every season and anything short of a title is viewed as a disappointment. The Red Sox couldn’t keep up with the Yankees last season, losing to the Anaheim Angels in the AL Division Series in three games as the Wild Card entry in the American League. The Red Sox reloaded in the off season bringing in John Lackey into an already impressive starting rotation, Adrian Beltre to shore up the third baseman position, and Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron to buff up the outfield. The Red Sox have showed both their strengths and weaknesses this spring with a record of 13-14 heading into their final stretch of spring training games. The Sox’s quest for their eighth World Series title begins when Boston opens up the 2010 season at home against the New York Yankees on Sunday, April 4th.