Darn right. The Red Sox are looking like a battered, tired team while the New York Yankees appear to be hitting their stride.

The New York Post says the Bombers are playing a scoreboard game and are comparing Bubba Crosby to the not-so-greats like Aaron Boone and Bucky Dent.

The New York Daily News is saying that while Crosby was the hero last night, Torre is winner by book.

And the New York Daily News' Mike Lupica is calling this a pennant race out of the past.

It would appear that all of New York is behind the pinstripes while in New England fans are stunned. I'm starting to believe the hype.

I'm sorry, but I do not feel confident, especially having to rely on Curt Schilling to supply the tourniquet.

Don't get all over me about Schilling. I have the upmost respect for the man, pitcher. I've written about his sacrifice, courage. But he's a shell of the pitcher he once was, not too long ago. He's had only one quality start - 10 days ago against the Yankees. He is inconsistant and lacks confidence in his splitter - his signature pitch.

It's not just Schilling. David Wells looked horrible last night. Do y'all still like him? I'll stand by my earlier statements. He'll be lucky to get his 14th win. And, Matt Clement couldn't get anything going on Sunday. Although, he I worry about the least.

This staff is old, tired and in need of a rest that will not come.

Let's forget about the pitching for a moment. Yes, I know it's hard.

The Red Sox are digging a hole and still can't find any depth. Tony Graffanino strained his groin last night, Johnny Damon has an injured shoulder, Kevin Youkilis is done for the year with a finger injury and Trot Nixon is not feeling well.

With these types of injuries, it won't be long before Hanley Ramirez gets his first start as a big leaguer. While Adam Hyzdu (two hits) and Alex Cora (two rbi triple) played well last night, I can not see them doing that day-in, day-out. It simply won't work.

So what will happen? The Boston Herald's Tony Massarotti says the end may be near.

Red Sox Nation knows they can not rely on any other team to help them. Baltimore is awful. And Tampa Bay only plays when the Red Sox come to town. My cousin's conspiracy theory is starting to make some sense.

As the captain goes so goes the ship. Jason Varitek has 0 hits in the last five games and only 1 RBI in his last eight games.

Edgar Renteria and Kevin Millar are in a similar boat.

David Ortiz can't do it on his own. Someone has got to help.

Speaking of help. It was good to see Craig Hansen make his first big-league appearance - retiring the side 1-2-3. He has incredible movement on all his pitches. His command seemed good and man he has a heater. The radar gun may have said 97 but it sure looked faster than that.

The Boston Globe's Chris Snow had this to say:

But by night's end, Craig Hansen was the best thing the Red Sox had going for them, the 97-mile-per-hour fastball he displayed in a scoreless fifth inning a testament to youth and energy, two characteristics that the weary Sox seem to be lacking at the most vital time.

Read the rest of his article.

He has a strange delivery - it seems short. I'm amazed that he can get that kind of velocity without using his whole body. At 21, he is a bright light of the future. Can you imagine what the past two months have been like for this kid. He's signed on July 23; in uniform on July 25 for the Sea Dogs; makes eight appearances before being called up to the bigs on Sept. 19 and pitches that night. Wow! Oh to be young again...and, err, talented.

Sarasota, Fla.'s Herald Tribune says that Lou Piniella expects playoff intensity. We're at least seeing it from one team.

So, the A.L. East title will most likely come down to the three-game series vs. the Yankees after all.

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