The State of the Nation

As we head down the stretch it is time to take a look at where things stand. The Red Sox have their last 6 series and are now only 3 game behind the Rays and have a 5 game lead in the wild card standings. The team has been playing this well without the help of Lowell, Beckett, and Drew. Not to mention Casey and Lugo on the DL and the reoccurring back problems with Youk. Boston has 14 more home games and 9 more road games. They will face the Rays 6 more times before the season ends so there is a real chance of winning the division. If Beckett can return to form before the end of the regular season the Red Sox will be a force in October. The comfort level is pretty high right now for Sox fans and I can't think of any of them that are worried about not making the playoffs or the Yankees somehow catching them. Enjoy these games now because once October hits the team will only be as good as its last game and the pressure will return.