Paul Byrd goes tonight for the Red Sox. Is there a tryout in the works for the fourth spot in the playoff rotation? Do you go with Byrd or Tim Wakefield? Both can be very good, and both can get your team behind in a hurry.

And speaking of playoff rotations, if Boston still has a chance to win the division next Saturday (Sept. 27), do you pitch Josh Beckett.

Simple answer: No, unless ...

If the Red Sox could be assured of beginning the playoffs on Thursday (Oct. 2), then Beckett could pitch on Saturday (with his pitch count limited) and come back on the normal four days' rest ... But if the playoffs begin Wednesday, Beckett would be on only three days' rest, and Francona and company will not go for that.

The AL team with the best record gets to decide when it wants to start the playoffs. Right now that is the Angels.

Here's the daily look at the overall standings:
Angels: 93-59
Rays: 90-61
Red Sox: 89-63
White Sox: 84-68
Twins: 83-70

Without playing on Thursday, Boston moved a half-game closer to Tampa Bay, which gave up five 9th-inning runs and lost 11-8 to the Twins.

The numbers for Boston:

Four: The magic number to clinch a playoff berth

1.5: Games behind Tampa Bay

Four. Games behind the Angels.

Byrd may pitch a gem tonight, but the Red Sox still have to figure out A.J. Burnett. He is 18-10 (4.19) for the year, but has not allowed an earned run in his last two starts, and is 9-2 (2.77) over his last 13 starts.

One minor note: According to a few media outlets (weei.com and the Boston Herald), the Red Sox added three more players to their Arizona Fall league roster and the surprise addition is Clay Buchholz. The AFL is usually only for prospects, not pitchers with major league time, including a no-hitter on their resume.

But Buchholz needs the work. The other additions are first baseman Aaron Bates and outfielder Josh Reddick.

Already named were catcher Mark Wagner and pitchers Ryne Lawson, T.J. Large and Beau Vaughan.

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