Magic Number 2...

The Red Sox magic number to clinch a playoff spot is now 2 after beating the Blue Jays last night 4-3. The Sox can clinch that playoff berth with a win, coupled with loses by the Twins and Yankees today. It's only a matter of time before the Sox clinch that playoff spot, but the earlier they can do it the better. Having a week to prepare for the playoffs and rest their starters will greatly increase their chances of going to another world series, regardless of who they have to play in the first round of the ALDS.

As far as last nights game, the bullpen did their job as Javier Lopez Manny Delcarmen and Hedeki Okajima pitched two scoreless innings bridging the gap to Papelbon who earned his 39th save last night.

The Sox hung tough with the Jays and their 18 game winner AJ Burnett all night long. Jason Varitek legged out a double play allowing Jason Bay to score putting the sox up 4-3. As mentioned, the bullpen did their job, as Manny Delcarmen picked up his first win of the year. Kevin Youkilis was 2-4 with a RBI and Sean Casey added two RBI of his own.

Jon Lester and Roy Halladay pitch today for their teams as the Red Sox look to wrap up at least a Wild Card birth, however the division isn't decided yet. Minnesota plays Tampa Bay at the Trop, and the Yankees are closing down Yankee Stadium against the O's this weekend.


ITM notes:

- Bartolo Colon has been suspended with out pay after leaving them team without permission. Apparently Colon was upset about being moved to the bullpen, which is comical because Colon spent at least half the season down at Triple A Pawtucket. Not sure what is going through his large head.



-Mike Lowell, out for 4 to 5 days due to inflammation in his hip. The Sox are hopeful rest will do the job, and clinching a playoff berth will allow them to rest him until game 1 of the ALDS.



-STILL no word on Drew. Sally.



-Paul Byrd received a letter from a former teammate saying he was tipping his pitches...not so much tonight as Byrd went 6 innings giving up 3 runs.



-PB has now faced the Blue Jays 5 out of his last 8 starts (8-2 since the all star break).