The Red Sox are an unimpressive 0-1 in extra-inning games this year. That's right, until Monday's game, Boston had not played one. Can you believe it? It seems odd, but with the kind of offense the team has been able to display it is to be expected.

What is not expected is another loss at the hands of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays - arguably the worst team in baseball - although, personally, I believe they have lots of talent and are a better team than, say, Kansas City or Colorado. Regardless, the Red Sox should be able get a victory at Tropicana, despite the 1-3 record in that field.

Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald suggests the team may be distracted by the trading deadline and player movement.

It's a Catch 22. Perhaps if they players were concentrating on their game, there would be no need for trades.

I have to give some credit to the D-Rays. They played their game. They used their speed (Lugo and Crawford) to develop some opportunities. They didn't always succeed but they threatened from the first inning on.

I'm having second thoughts about Curt Schilling in the closer's role, actually in any role. It seems to me that they need to once again shut him down. Whether or not Trot Nixon misplayed Aubrey Huff's 10th inning hit.

With that in mind, the Red Sox have only a couple of days here to fill all their needs - a closer, a starter and perhaps a little bump in the infield. Graffanino and Cora just aren't going to cut it on a daily basis.

Where are they to look? Well one has to hope the Phillies falter over the next few days, so perhaps lefty closer Billy Wagner becomes available. Keith Foulke when he returns will become a really nice set-up man, by the way. They have to hope that everyone else gets scared of A.J. Burnett's contract. We also have to wish that Kevin Youkilis is an acceptible third baseman for the Twins so we may acquire the lefty reliever from them as well.

I don't like how quiet it is. I just keep waiting for ESPN's crawler, the AP wire or the Red Sox site to make mention of a big trade. I know it's coming.

But the deadline is Friday and timing will be essential. I'm sure Theo Epstein will do the right thing but I'm running crazy speculating.

This week Epstein will be sleep-deprived for sure, as will I.

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