The New York Yankees are coming to town and the greatest fear for the Boston Red Sox is ... rain.

The forecast does not look good for tonight or Saturday, but we will see (I hope to be checking back later from Fenway).

As for the Yankees, see today's story in the Press Herald.

The Red Sox (94-65) still have a chance of winning the AL East, which would require a Red Sox sweep this weekend, and the Rays (96-63) losing their next three games at Detroit.

The Angels (99-60) need one more win (or a Rays loss) to secure the best record in the AL. Then we can find out when the Angels start their Divisional playoff series (Wednesday or Thursday).

Fun to watch the Twins (87-72) and White Sox (86-72) battle it out - the Twins against Kansas City, the White Sox against the Indians this weekend ... May come down to a make-up game Monday between the Tigers and Chicago.

The Red Sox announced their Minor League awards and two Sea Dogs received top honors. Daniel Bard was Pitcher of the Year. Lars Anderson was named Offensive Player of the Year.

Bard got the nod over Portland/Pawtucket starter Michael Bowden (9-4, 2.23 in Portland, 0-3, 3.38 in Pawtucket).

Here is the Red Sox press release:

Pitcher of the Year: RHP Daniel Bard, Greenville/Portland: Combined to go 5-1 with a 1.51 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 77.2 innings in 46 relief appearances at Greenville and Portland…Was 1-0, 0.64 with 43 strikeouts in 28.0 innings over 15 games at Greenville and 4-1, 1.99 with 7 saves and 64 strikeouts in 49.2 innings in 31 outings with Portland.

Offensive Player of the Year: 1B Lars Anderson, Lancaster/Portland: Combined to bat .317 with 85 runs, 32 doubles, 18 homers, and 80 RBI in 118 games for Lancaster and Portland…Had a .317 average with 13 homers and 50 RBI in 77 games with the JetHawks and a .316 mark with 5 homers and 30 RBI in 41 games with the Sea Dogs…Had the 3rd highest average and finished 2nd in runs among Boston minor leaguers…Reached base in 36 of 41 games after promotion to Portland on July 17.

Defensive Player of the Year: OF Che-Hsuan Lin, Greenville: Had a .961 fielding percentage in 207 total chances in 88 games in the outfield for Greenville…Batted .249 with 5 homers and 37 RBI in 91 games for the Drive…Ranked 2nd among Boston minor leaguers with 33 stolen bases.

Base Runner of the Year: OF Wilfred Pichardo, GCL Red Sox/Lowell: Led the Red Sox organization with 43 stolen bases…Topped the Gulf Coast League with 42 stolen bases in 51 attempts, the most steals in the GCL since 1991…Batted .297 in 52 games for the GCL Red Sox, finishing 3rd in the league in runs (36) and 5th in hits (60).

Minor League Latin Program Pitcher of the Year: LHP Manuel Rivera, DSL Red Sox: Was 4-3 with a 2.24 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 52.1 innings in 13 starts.

Minor League Latin Program Player of the Year: 1B Eddie Lora, DSL Red Sox/GCL Red Sox: Hit .300 with 6 doubles, 5 homers, 26 RBI, 21 runs, 34 walks, and a .455 on-base percentage in 35 games for the DSL Red Sox.

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