Six.
It's just a number (or the name of a Loverboy album, or a line on the New York City subway system), but for the Red Sox, Rays and Angels, it means so much.
Each team now has six games left to determine their fates. Boston's remaining games are all on the road, while the latter two play all six at their respective homes.
Despite their remarkably poor month, the Red Sox still have to do some pretty remarkable things to lose their lead. But what levels the playing field is the sheer contrast in the statuses of the rotations for each team.
While Boston has Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield lined up for the first two games in New York on Friday and Saturday, it's a mish-mash after that. John Lackey may start Sunday. Erik Bedard may start Tuesday. Josh Beckett will probably start Monday. But in the end, we really don't know.
On the other hand, both Tampa Bay, now two games behind, and Anaheim, three games back, are lined up well, despite their deficits. Playing every game in their home parks, they also have their quality rotations set. Both have their staff leaders going twice in the six games and both will face division leaders that probably will rest the bulk of their regulars (the Yankees have already announced the CC Sabathia is done until the playoffs, and it would not be surprising if Texas ace C.J. Wilson is sat when his turn comes against the Angels next week).
Here is the likely forecast for both teams going forward, starting with the Rays:
Friday versus Toronto: Brandon Morrow vs. David Price
Saturday versus Toronto: Ricky Romero vs. Jeff Niemann
Sunday versus Toronto: Brett Cecil vs. Wade Davis
Monday versus New York: TBA vs. James Shields
Tuesday versus New York: TBA vs. Jeremy Hellickson
Wednesday versus New York: TBA vs. David Price
And the Angels:
Friday versus Oakland: Gio Gonzalez vs. Jered Weaver
Saturday versus Oakland: Guillermo Moscoso vs. Jerome Williams
Sunday versus Oakland: Rich Harden vs. Joel Pineiro
Monday versus Texas: C.J. Wilson vs. Dan Haren
Tuesday versus Texas: TBA vs. Ervin Santana
Wednesday versus Texas: TBA vs. Jered Weaver
