SRYD's NOTEBOOK

Well, the Sox have only 14 games left and find themselves 2.5 games back of Cleveland (4 in the loss column) and 2 games back of Oakland (3 in the loss column) so they are going to have to rattle off an impressive record over these last 14 or they will remain home watching the playoffs this year. If the Sox can manage to go 11-3 over the last 14 (a very tall task), that would mean that Cleveland would have to go 10-7 (at least 7-5 in non Red Sox games), Oakland would have to go 10-6 to tie Boston, and Toronto would need to go 11-2! Basically, the Sox need to take at least 4 of 5 vs. Cleveland, Lose only 1 game in two series and sweep the other to have a realistic chance. Those other series are vs. Baltimore, Chicago, and Tampa.

After a good series in Cleveland and two gut wrenching wins in the first two games in Detroit, things were looking good. Unfortunately, the Sox disappointed us in the last 2 games vs. the Tigers, as they have done all season. When Steve Ontiveros (who hadn't sniffed the big leagues in 5 years) is starting a critical game in September, you know things are bleak. Just to emphasize, why we hate the Yankees so much, they got obliterated in two of the three games this weekend vs. Cleveland when a good showing would have aided the Sox playoff hopes. Let's hope that Clemen$$ can come up big on Monday. (I can't believe that I just wrote that!!). Fortunately, the Sox still control their own destiny where Cleveland is concerned. Unfortunately, Oakland controls their own fate but a key series vs. Seattle next weekend could help the Sox. Here is a look at the standings and schedules.(HOME GAMES IN CAPS)

Standings:

Cleveland 79-66 -
Oakland   79-67 .5
Boston    78-70 2.5
Toronto   78-71 3.0

* Seattle leads Oakland by 2.5 games in the West with an 83-66 record.

Boston (14): 9/19 -9/21 CLEV, CLEV(2), CLEV(2), 9/22-9/24 BAL, BAL, BAL,
             9/26-9/28 chi, chi, chi, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1 tam, tam, tam

Cleveland (17) 9/18 ny, 9/19-9/21 bos, bos(2), bos(2), 9/22-9/24 kc, kc, kc, 
               9/25-9/28 MIN, MIN, MIN, MIN, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1 TOR, TOR, TOR

* CHI (Cleveland and Chicago have a game to make-up possibly on 9/25)
 
Oakland (16) 9/18-9/20 bal, bal, bal, 9/21-9/24 sea, sea, sea, sea,
             9/25-9/28 ANA, ANA, ANA, ANA, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1 TEX, TEX, TEX

* TAM (Oakland and Tampa need to make-up Sunday's postponed game if necessary)

Toronto (13) 9/19-9/21 NY, NY, NY, 9/22-9/25 TAM, TAM, TAM, TAM, 
             9/26-28 bal,bal,bal, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1 clev, clev, clev

Seattle (13) 9/18-9/20 tam, tam, tam, 9/21-9/24 OAK, OAK, OAK, OAK,
             9/26-9/28 TEX, TEX, TEX, 9/29, 9/30, 10/1 ana, ana, ana 

I am hoping that Cleveland loses tomorrow and the Sox take 4 of 5 from Cleveland. That would leave Cleveland with a record of 80-71 (or 80-70 if they win on Monday) and Boston with a record of 82-71. Oakland is at Baltimore so their record would be 81-68 with 2 of 3 in Baltimore. They would then head to Seattle. I think that this shows that 3 of 5 vs. Cleveland will not cut it, magnifying the importance of Boston's losses in the last 2 games vs. the Tigers.

The Sox have a very tall task ahead of them. Everett's apparent quad injury on Sunday certainly doesn't help matters. The Sox have certainly missed Garces as well. Looking at the pitching matchups vs. Cleveland, I see the following:

Tuesday (? vs. Ohka)- does Cleveland push Colon back from Monday??
Wednesday (Burba and ? vs. Pedro and Schourek)
Thursday (Bere and Finley (3 days rest) vs. Arrojo and Wakefield)

Cleary, the Sox pitchers will be better rested, and with Oakland in Baltimore and Toronto facing Baltimore and Tampa for 7 of their next 10, Boston really needs to take advantage of the situation.

I have some suggestions for Jimy in the Cleveland series.

1. Don't use Bernard Gilkey (who has done nothing for the last month) under any circumstances. (If I see him playing vs. a lefty in front of Trot, Sadler, or Alcantara, I will be ill.)br> 2. Nomar plays every game, even if he has to DH to do it.
3. Do not use Beck three days in a row again all year.
4. Play small ball (i.e bunt) early in the game to get out to a lead. This is especially critical when Ohka and Schourek pitch.
5. Tell Varitek to TAKE A PITCH with runners in scoring position.
6. When you consider a line-up with Alexander, Lewis, and Lansing all playing in the same game, take a good look at their batting averages and don't wonder why the offense STINKS.
7. Ramon just isn't very good, but options are limited. Yell at him if you have to. Don't let him pitch vs. Cleveland or Chicago.
8. Argue any close call and get tossed if necessary to fire up the crowd.
9. Put Wendell Kim in a straight jacket and tell him that sending a hurting Offerman home from first on a double with 0 outs and Nomar up next is STUPID!!!!
10. Don't throw a 3-0 fastball to Manny Ramirez!

Despite the dire situation that Boston finds itself in, I will continue to root for them, but ANYTHING less than 4-5 from Cleveland will pretty much seal their fate. By about 10:00 EST on Thursday, we will know if Boston has any chance left.

SRYD OUT