While the Red Sox need to concentrate on the task at hand, I can't help but think about the upcoming series against New York.

Let's take a moment and assume the Red Sox can get past the Devil Rays tonight. It's not that tough considering Curt Schilling will be on the mound for Boston. Couple that with the fact that Mark Hendrickson will start for the D-Rays and you can almost jot down a W now.

Although I fully expect him to rebound, the last time Schilling faced Tampa Bay he allowed six runs. He's attempting to record his 20th and league-leading win, which should provide plenty of incentive. Hendrickson has lost seven of his last eight starts and has an ERA just under 5.00. He shouldn't be much of a factor. The Sox are hungry so the fish better watch out. Are Devil Rays good eatin'?

Okay so with tonight's assumed W, Boston will go into New York trailing the division leaders by 3.5 games. Too big a deficit to take the title away this weekend, but it will be close.

I only wish we waited and start Schilling on Friday. Not that I don't trust Bronson Arroyo. I do. It's Derek Lowe, who starts Saturday, that I sometimes worry about. His 4.91 ERA is over a half a point higher than last year. Even if Boston only takes two of the three games, the Sox will only be 2.5 games behind.

Things get a little more interesting when you consider all the schedule changes New York has got to make before the end of the season. In fact, when New York returns to Boston for another three-game set on Sept. 24, the Yankees may be in need of a pitcher. The New York Post suggests that Torre is feeling pitching pinch. Torre must be used to this by now, he's been without pitching for most of the year. I should be careful or Mike Mussina may have a few things to say to me as he did to David Ortiz.

The Bergen Record reports that Mussina had some choice words for the Boston slugger after Ortiz put down Yankee pitching. Hey Moose, face the facts.

Everyone is getting pumped up. The Washington Post writes about the rivalry it says borders on insane.
And the New York Post says "Bring it on, Boston." Becareful what you wish for.

Boston is better than the Kansas City Royals or the Cleveland Indians who both embarrassed the Yankees at some point this season. The Red Sox will not be pushed around. Just ask Jason Varitek who on July 24 took on the Yankees best player, Alex Rodriguez. The New York Times reports that Varitek not afraid to get in Yankees' faces again. I have the utmost respect for 'Tek. This guy is a true leader. I'd follow this guy anywhere and so would most of New England.

Whether we like it or not New Englanders may be a tad bit obsessed with the Yankees. But, according to the New York Daily News, the Red Sox players have tuned them out. I give the Sox credit; I can't stop wondering about the pinstripes. Did they win? Is Giambi back? What did Sheffield do? Will Kevin Brown be able to throw again? I'm plagued by these thoughts. It will soon come to an end.

So who will be the division champs? The New York Post polled a few American League GMs to see who they felt may win the division. Guess what? A virtual tie.

Reader comments: What do you think? Do the Red Sox have enough momentum to overcome the four game deficit? Are the Yankees uncatchable?

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