Boston will try again to clinch the division title tonight. The AL playoffs could be set IF Boston wins, New York loses and either the Indians win or Angels lose.

Besides the division title, the focus tonight is on Daisuke Matsuzaka. Is this guys going to be worth of a No. 2 starter's role? In his last seven starts, he has averaged 5 innings and 5 earned runs.

His start agains the Yankees on Sept. 14 was good, but he lasted only 5 2/3 innings.

Meanwhile, New York has Mike Mussina pitching in St. Petersburg tonight. The Yankees used half a lineup to beat the Devil Rays last night.

New York is in relax mode, although its pitching staff is getting ready for the post-season, which includes prepping Joba Chamberlain for a key role. See the Daily News story.

Cleveland is close to clinching home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs (the Indians have the tiebreaker over the Angels). That means the Red Sox will likely play Anaheim if they win the AL East.

Here are the standings after Thursday's games, and remaining games:
Boston 94-65
Cleveland 94-65
Angels 92-67
Yankees 92-67

REMAINING GAMES
RED SOX vs. Minnesota (3)
YANKEES at at Baltimore (3)
ANGELS at Oakland (3)
INDIANS at Kansas City (3)

The Red Sox announced their minor leaguers of the year and they are all former Sea Dogs. Here is the Red Sox press release:

Pitcher of the Year: RHP Clay Buchholz, Portland/Pawtucket: Combined to go 8-5 with a 2.44 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 125.1 innings in 24 games/23 starts at Portland and Pawtucket…Led all minor league pitchers with an average if 12.34 strikeouts per 9 innings and was 4th in strikeouts…Had the 5th lowest opponents batting average at .191…Was 7-2, 1.77 at Portland and 1-3, 3.96 at Pawtucket…Pitched in the All-Star Futures Game…Is 2nd consecutive Pitcher of the Year Award…Was the 42nd overall selection as supplemental pick in 2005 First-Year Player Draft

Offensive Player of the Year: SS Jed Lowie, Portland/Pawtucket: Combined to bat .298 with 82 runs, 47 doubles, 13 homers, 70 RBI, and an .896 OPS in 133 games for Portland and Pawtucket…Had a .297 average with 8 homers and 49 RBI in 93 games with the SeaDogs and a .300 mark with 5 homers and 21 RBI in 40 games with the PawSox…Was one of the top offensive shortstops in the minors in 2007…Was the 45th overall selection as supplemental pick in 2005 First-Year Player Draft…Will play for Mesa in Arizona Fall League.

Defensive Player of the Year/Base-runner of the Year: OF Jacoby Ellsbury, Portland/Pawtucket: Batted .323 with 82 runs, 2 homers, 41 RBI, and 41 steals in 48 attempts over 104 games with Portland and Pawtucket…Led all Red Sox minor leaguers in stolen bases…Had a .452 average with 13 RBI and 8 steals in 17 games for the SeaDogs and a .298 mark with 2 homers, 28 RBI, and 33 steals in 87 games with the PawSox…Tied for 2nd in the International League in stolen bases…Hit safely in a Pawtucket record 25 straight games, July 21-August 30…Played in All-Star Futures Game…Was the 23rd overall selection in the 1st round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft…Is the recipient of both awards for the 2nd straight year.

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