Sox Win Wilcard!!!

Well it certainly feels that way to many in Red Sox Nation... It’s been a “what-the-hell are they doing” frustrating week for fans.

If actions speak louder than words, it appears this team is content to back into the playoffs. With a magic number of 3 over the Tigers, it's a virtual lock. Why? The Tigers will lose at least three more...

The Sox are obviously more concerned with surviving in the playoffs than capturing the AL East crown or getting home field. Okajima has been shut down, Crisp and Youkilis have been kept out of the lineup, Manny is nowhere to be seen, and they are giving starters extra days rest to line them up for the playoffs. Francona also admitted to leaving Gagne in too long - which cost them the game. He needed to know if he'd be useful in Oct. Until he starts throwing his change effectively he won't be. Apparently Francona will give him every opportunity...

This has all been compounded by the team not playing well. Without 3 regulars in the lineup they've been struggling to score runs. The bright spot is that the starters have been performing - which is the real key in Oct.

All that being said, the Sox are still in the drivers seat. As poor as they have played recently, they still sit 1 1/2 games up. The ChiSox had a similar struggle down the stretch two years ago - and how did that work out for them? As fans we still expect an AL East crown. Remember too that the Yanks will soon clinch a playoff birth and will rest their starters and regulars. So there won't be a dramatic fight to the finish - especially with starters soon to be throwing 80 pitches per start and having the kids come out of the pen. And as many of you Yanks fans can attest, winning the Division crown doesn't mean a World Series (not for the last 6 season anyway). It's all about late Oct...