This is not good.
The Red Sox started their huge four-game series against the Rays with a crushing 9-2 loss at Fenway Park on Thursday.
A broken bat started it. Tampa Bay’s offense (and pitching) ended it. And now, Boston is clinging to the playoffs by just three games — with three left against the Rays — and can pretty much write the division off.
That means it’s up to Josh Beckett to save the day. The righthander is on the mound Friday for the first time since suffering a sprained ankle on the mound. His return start won’t be easy: He’s up against James Shields, who’s sporting a 2.70 ERA on the year.
