Fever Pitch

No, not the movie, but the anticipated intensity of this coming week for the Red Sox. July has yet to begin, but the fireworks already have, with Manny involved in an altercation with the Sox traveling secretary over ticket allotment and some racist nutjob mailing a threat aimed at black and latino Red Sox players headed for Tampa for the Rays series. Security has been beefed up in St. Pete and the players named in the threat have been warned.

Aside from all this pre-series drama, the action on the field tonight between the Sox and the Rays is bound to heat up big-time, especially since the fracas maximus that occurred the last time the two teams met up. Coco won't be around for this series, but you can bet the umps are going to be on high alert, especially if any batters are hit. The stakes for these three games: First place in the division. If the Red Sox sweep, they will gain a two and a half game lead over the Rays and reclaim first place. If the Rays take it all, the Sox remain in second, three and a half games behind. The Rays have their best three pitchers lined up to face the Sox, who have struggled offensively on the road. Let's hope the Sox can get the better of these pitchers and go into the Big Apple atop the division. It's going to be a tough road, though, and the Sox need to bring their A game. The pitchers need to go at least 7 innings and the relievers need to be effective. The bats need to wear the Rays pitchers down.

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!