While the Fenway crowd loves to chant "MVP, MVP" for Dustin Pedroia, his teammate and fellow former Portland Sea Dogs infielder, Kevin Youkilis, is not doing too bad, either.

Youkilis has slid into the clean-up role smoothly. Sure, Manny What's-His-Name is tearing it up for the Dodgers, but Youkilis is giving the Red Sox some surprising power.

See the story in the Press Herald.

I will be out until late Thursday. I hope to check back then.

In 10 post-season appearances, Josh Beckett is 6-2 with a 1.73 ERA.

He can carry a team in the playoffs, like he did for the Red Sox in 2007.

Now he is hurt. Strained oblique muscle.

Beckett, it is hoped, will be able to pitch Game 3 of the AL Divisional Series with the Angels, next Sunday.

How important is Beckett?

Rain kept the Red Sox indoors Saturday (and it does not look good today). It was a good time to catch up on some former Sea Dogs.

See today's column on Jacoby Ellsbury getting hot at the right time.

Favorite statistic: When Ellsbury scores a run, Boston is 51-17.

Today's Yankees-Red Sox will not start at the scheduled time (3:50 p.m.) because of rain.

And the rain should last for "a few hours," meaning this afternoon game could become a night game, if it is played at all.

MLB and the players will want to get this game in. No one wants a day/night doubleheader on Sunday.

The Red Sox lineup has a Pawtucket feel to it, in the outfield and at shortstop:

Major League Baseball said there was a window to play Friday night's Yankees-Red Sox game and, sure enough, the game has begun.

At 8:36, David Pauley threw the first pitch for the Red Sox (a ball).

The forecast is still iffy. But it will have to be an absolute downpour to stop this now (at least until 5 innings have been played).

Enjoy the game. I'll check back on Saturday.

Yes, they still think they are going to play a baseball game here at Fenway Park.

They actually removed the tarp 40 minutes ago, worked on the field and, when the rain started again, put the tarp back on).

Boston has tweaked its lineup. David Ortiz, who was scheduled to play first base (with Mike Lowell as the DH) is out, and Sean Casey is in.

And starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has been scratched, with David Pauley set to go ...

... if they play

If this was not the last series of the regular season, tonight's Yankees-Red Sox game would probably have been called off hours ago.

But Major League Baseball, not the Red Sox, calls the shots for this one, and so we wait.

But, really, how can they possibly play?

The Red Sox put out a press release saying the forecast "calls for the possibility of a break in today's rain showers."

The break (or window as they like to call it), is not likely to last long. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, "there actually seems to be a window up to game time."

Francona did say if tonight's game is rained out then Daisuke Matsuzaka would be pushed back a day and pitch Saturday.

But what of Josh Beckett, who was scheduled to pitch on Saturday?

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 got into the playoffs in fine fashion, with a win over a very good pitcher (Cliff Lee), with the bullpen giving up no runs.

Two concerns going into the post-season: The Sox hitting against good pitching, and their bullpen. They looked good on Tuesday.

Now what?

Get healthy (Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew).

Get the rotation rested and in line to go. In Game 2 in Anaheim, do you go with Daisuke Matsuzaka (9-0, 2.37 on the road) or Jon Lester (5-5, 4.09 on the road)?

Before leaving for Boston Monday, I told the boss that I brought my raincoat to protect myself during the champagne celebration.

Josh Beckett vs. Zach Jackson. It's in the bag.

The bag leaked.

Cleveland's 4-3 win was a case of what can happen in baseball. Your ace makes a few bad pitches, some bloops drop in, and a ball hits the umpire. You lose.

"The game never ceases to amaze you," outfielder Jason Bay said. "You see something new on the field every day."

One more win and the Red Sox are in (the playoffs).

Josh Beckett is pitching his last "full" start tonight. He is scheduled to start again Saturday but, with the playoffs possibly beginning next Wednesday, Saturday's start is likely going to be an abbreviated outing at best.

Tonight, Beckett faces the Indians and left-handed starter Zach Jackson (0-3, 6.35), so the odds are great that the Red Sox will be popping corks tonight. Jackson, obtained from the Brewers in the Sabathia trade, was called up from the minors when the Indians traded (gave away) Paul Byrd to the Red Sox.

With the Indians throwing three left-handers over the next four days, look for Mike Lowell to get a DH assignment.

Here is a look at the AL contenders

The Tampa Bay Rays are going to the playoffs.

Amazing.

Tampa Bay clinched its berth with a 7-2 win over the Twins on Saturday.

Boston's magic number for a playoff berth remained at two even though the Twins lost, because the New York Yankees have passed Minnesota in the wild card standings. The Yankees are 6 1/2 games behind the Red Sox, and need a complete Boston collapse to catch the Red Sox..

The Red Sox could clinch a berth today with a win in Toronto, and a Yankees loss against the Orioles.

Here is how the AL race looks:

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 ...

So the thinking is that the Rays will suffer a letdown after winning a crucial series with Boston, get swept by a desperate Twins team and then go on the road and stumble, allowing Boston to pass them by.

Possible, but unlikely.

First, a look at the standings:

Two walk-off games Tuesday night meant good news and bad news for the Boston Red Sox.

Victor Martinez's 3-run homer run in the bottom of the 11th inning gave Cleveland a 12-9 win over Minnesota, pushing the Twins one more game to elimination.

The Red Sox lead Minnesota by 7 games in the wild card standings, making Boston's magic number 5 to clinch a playoff berth.

But that is not what Red Sox fans are likely talking about today. Boston would have been leading the AL East Division, instead of the wild card standings, but the Rays beat Boston 2-1 on Dioner Navarro's RBI single in the 9th.

Red Sox win (so the Rays obviously lost). White Sox and Twins lost.

A good scoreboard night for Boston. The only thing better would be if the Angels lost (they did not play).

Here's the overall standings:

Chris Smith peeked inside the shopping bag left hanging at his locker. The contents were the clothes Smith was expected to wear, as part of the rookie hazing on the final Red Sox road trip.

"It's pink and it's not shorts," Smith said.

Not sure what Smith's role was supposed to be. Others got cheerleader outfits (sorry Jeff Bailey). Others got off easier. Devern Hansack wore a basketball uniform.

It is a silly annual tradition for the Sox and meant to keep things light.

The Sox were smiling Sunday as they headed to Logan Airport for their trip to St. Petersburg, and 3 big games with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Bartolo Colon may be done as a starter for the Red Sox, depending on Boston's plan in this stretch run for the playoffs.

Colon pitched Saturday, getting a no-decision (6 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 1 K). He remains Boston's sixth starter in a five-man rotation.

When asked when Colon would go again, Boston manager Terry Francona said, "We don't have an answer to that right now. We have an off-day coming up in Toronto (Thursday). We don't have the need to skip anybody. Everybody seems healthy.

"We'll probably sit down (Monday) to see how we feel about it. Some of it may have to do with circumstances - what our record is, which way we're going. So we may not know (Monday)."

Lost in the story of the day-game loss to the Blue Jays Saturday was the three innings of work by reliever Devern Hansack (3 K). He faced 9 batters and needed only 27 pitches (18 strikes) ... Does he have a chance to make the playoff roster?

Today, another former Sea Dogs pitcher goes to the mound. In today's column we take a look at Jon Lester's mental toughness.

Boston (87-61) is 2 games behind Tampa Bay (88-58) and 5 games ahead of both the White Sox (81-65) and Twins (82-66)

In the minors, Lancaster avoided elimination with a 3-run 7th to beat Stockton 8-6. Yamaico Navarro (2-for-4) singled in the final run in the 7th.

Trenton went up 2-1 on Akron in the Eastern League finals with a 4-1 win.

I'll check back from Fenway.

The Toronto Blue Jays are going all out this weekend to get themselves in the playoff race, and are using three of their pitchers' on short rest.

Toronto (79-67) is 6 1/2 games behind Boston (85-60) in the wild card race, and play four games in Fenway (doubleheader on Saturday).

The Blue Jays had a doubleheader last Tuesday, as well a game on Thursday (the Sox were off), so their pitching did not line up well for this series. But, according to the pitching match-ups released by the teams, the Blue Jays will use A.J. Burnett and Jessie Litch on Saturday and Roy Halladay on Sunday. All three will be pitching on three days' rest.

Here are the match-ups:

Give Mike Timlin credit for not hiding. He just gave up two singles, and then the winning home run by Carlos Pena in the 14th inning. Many pitchers would take a lot of time before leaving the showers or the training room.

Mike Timlin was the first one to appear in the clubhouse for interviews.

Obviously disappointed, Timlin remains confident, despite giving up 12 runs in his last 10 outings.

Here is what he said after Wednesday's game:

As I type this, Arnie Beyeler is throwing batting practice to the Red Sox (even minor league managers get September call-ups).

Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the lineup and Coco Crisp is out, despite an 11-game hitting streak. Francona said he's just trying to keep everyone fresh.

J.D. Drew is available tonight but won't start a game until after Thursday off day.

Reliever David Aardsma has been activated, giving the Red Sox a 34-man roster (can you name the six players on the 40-man roster who are not here? Hint: 5 are former Sea Dogs. See the answer below the lineups.

Jonathan Papelbon blew a save Tuesday night.

It happens.

Maybe the Rays 5-4 win over Boston serves as a reminder to Red Sox fans that this Tampa Bay team is not bad. And the kids are not going to quit. For more thoughts on that, see today's column

If the Red Sox could have won Tuesday, so much focus would have been on Jason bay and his two-run homer (all together now: Manny Who?) ... Not to be ignored was Kevin Youkilis' at-bat before Bay, working a two-out walk after falling behind 1-2.

Today is Game 3 of the series.

With tough left-hander Scott Kazmir on the mound, Boston manager Terry Francona figured it was a good time to give DH David Ortiz a day off. Jeff Bailey will step in, though batting ninth.

Also, because of Kazmir, Francona is going with a right-handed bat to lead off - and it's actually a very hot bat, belonging to switch-hitter Coco Crisp.

One Portland note about the lineup. All but two of the players have Sea Dogs connections (direct and indirect): Jed Lowrie, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Mark Kotsay and Bailey are all former Sea Dogs, and both Jason Bay and Mike Lowell came to Boston in trades involving former Sea Dogs - Lowell in the Marlins deal that involved SS Hanley Ramirez and P Anibal Sanchez; Bay in the Pirates deal, with Pittsburgh getting former Dogs Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen.

Here's tonight's lineup:

The Red Sox are carrying 32 players on their roster, and will soon add more when Bartolo Colon and David Aardsma come off the disabled list.

There is both quantity and quality there, which is why Boston has been able to withstand injuries (Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew, for example) and keep winning.

The Rays are having trouble scoring runs lately, and you have to believe that the absence of outfielder Carl Crawford and third baseman Evan Longoria are a factor. Plus, center fielder B.J. Upton is playing banged up. That, and Jon Lester's domination, played a part in Boston's 3-0 win Monday.

As promised, we're back. Here is more from Terry Francona's pre-game press conference:

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona announced that Michael Bowden is done pitching for the year. Bowden began the year with the Portland Sea Dogs, reached Pawtucket in mid-July and made a spot start for Boston Aug. 30 (a win, 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K) before returning to Pawtucket.

Francona indicated it had to do with Bowden's amount of innings pitched (149). Bowden turns 22 on Tuesday.

Two call-ups today from Pawtucket: catcher George Kottaras (but not catcher Dusty Brown) and first-baseman Chris Carter.

I'll have more soon on the Bowden decision, as well as other news (Francona said Clay Buccholz's status is "a little more up in the air" but it sounds like he is done this year).

For now, here's the Red Sox lineup tonight:

I'll be checking in later from Fenway Park, as the Tampa Bay Rays come in for a three-game series.

After losing 5 of their last six games, the "Rays are wary" of what's ahead, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.

The Rays start Edwin Jackson (11-9, 4.07) tonight. Jackson symbolizes what is going on with Tampa Bay right now. He had a solid August (4-1, 2.27) but began September with a thud (10 hits and 6 runs allowed to the Yankees in 3 1/3 innings).

After Saturday night's 15-8 loss to Texas, we need to re-visit the talk of the Boston bullpen, as well as the forgotten man, Devern Hansack.

We mentioned Hansack in a previous blog, as well as today's column

Because Hansack has been on the 40-man roster all year with Boston, he would be eligible for the post-season roster (replacing someone on the DL). But Hansack has not faced major league hitters all season, so would you trust him in the playoffs.

The Trenton Thunder scored a run in the ninth inning on a two-out single, followed by three walks, to beat the Portland Sea Dogs 5-4 and eliminate Portland with a three-game sweep in the Eastern League Northern Division series.

Miguel Asencio took the loss.

After the game, Red Sox personnel director Ben Cherington said the status of pitcher Clay Buchholz is "to be determined." He could join Boston or Pawtucket (but the PawSox could be eliminated Saturday), or he is done for the year.

Bryce Cox was promoted to Portland for the playoffs. The reliever struggled in his first appearance Friday. In the 8th inning, Cox loaded the bases with a walk, hit-batter and infield single. With two outs, he hit another batter, bringing home the tying run.

We are tied, 4-4.

Miguel Asencio is on the mound for Portland, entering the 9th.

Lars Anderson crushed a home run to right field in the sixth inning, hitting the inflated LL Bean boot high above the bullpen.

Portland leads 4-3.

Mike James is coming out for his third inning of relief.

Colin Curtis followed his triple in the second inning with a lead-off double in the fourth. He went to third on a single, and scored on a 6-4-3 double play.

Score after four innings: 3-3.

Portland starter Ryne Lawson is out after 76 pitches (3 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 2 K) ... Reliever Mike James is entering in the fifth.

Mickey Hall hit a two-out, full-count home run into the right field pavilion, in the bottom of the second inning, to give the lead back to Portland, 3-2.

Trenton had tied the game in the top of the second with a walk, Colin Curtis' triple to deep center, and a wild pitch.

Jorge Jimenez, Ryan Khoury and Aaron Bates all doubled in the first inning, to give the Portland Sea Dogs a 2-0 lead over Trenton.

Portland made Trenton starter Jason Jones work in the first (31 pitches).

Bartolo Colon is going to pitch for Pawtucket in the International League playoffs Saturday, according to the media reports out of Texas (where the Red Sox are).

Earlier, Terry Francona said Colon would be pitching for either Pawtucket or Portland on Saturday. One obvious reason for choosing Pawtucket is because the PawSox are scheduled to play Saturday ... the Sea Dogs could be eliminated with a loss tonight.

Also, it is highly unlikely that Daniel Bard will pitch again this year, even if the Sea Dogs come back and win this series and advance to the title series. Ben Cherington, Red Sox Vice President/Player Personnel, said although Bard's injury is minor (an irritated muscle in his back), the soreness could cause a change in his delievery, which could cause bigger problems.

Here are the lineups:

Can still remember the scene from two years ago. Devern Hansack emerged from a meeting with Theo Epstein in the manager's office at Hadlock Field. His arms raised in joy, Hansack re-joined his celebrating Sea Dogs teammates.

Hansack had not only just won the clinching game for the Eastern League championship, he was informed by Epstein that he was being called up to Boston. With the Red Sox, he pitched well, including a rain-shortened (thus unofficial) no-hitter vs. the Orioles.

With their comeback win against the Orioles, and the Yankees win over Tampa Bay, the Red Sox (82-57) now trail the Rays (84-53) by by 3 games (4 in the loss column) ... the Red Sox also lead the Twins by 5 games in the wild card standings.

The Rays do have Scott Kazmir (10-6) against New York's Darrel Rasner (5-9) tonight. The Sox are off.

After tonight, the next 13 days will be interesting to watch. The Rays are on the road for nine games (Toronto, Boston, New York) before a 3-game home series with Boston.

The Red Sox have 3 at Texas, then 7 home (3 vs. Tampa Bay; 4 vs. Toronto) and then 3 at Tampa Bay).

It is possible that Bartolo Colon could pitch for the Portland Sea Dogs Saturday at Hadlock Field. Boston manager Terry Francona said he would prefer Colon pitch for either Pawtucket or Portland on Saturday, before re-joining the major league roster.

Both teams begin their respective best-of-5 playoffs tonight. Both teams would play on Saturday if they are not involved in a 3-game sweep.

The preference would appear to be Pawtucket, assuming the PawSox are still playing, unless the Red Sox decide they want to keep Colon in New England (Portland), instead of sending him to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

See the story in redsox.com

It is only one game, but in their loss to the Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays "looked like the team they hope they don't become, stumbling in the opening game of their rugged 19-game pennant-race run ... " according to Marc Topkin's story in the St. Petersburg Times.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox used their "September depth" in beating the Orioles. Even with so many injuries, Boston used 12 players and four pitchers in a 14-2 rout.

Chris Smith pitched a clean inning (10 pitches, 7 strikes) ... David Pauley got nicked for a run and two hits in two innings ... Anyone notice that Jeff Bailey (1-for-3, 2 walks) is batting .290 with a .421 on-base percentage? Does Bailey, 29, get a chance someday to stick in the majors?

Never have Red Sox fans cheered for the Yankees and starter Mike Mussina like they will tonight.

Mussina starts for New York tonight when the Yankees visit the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, the start of a three-game series.

Boston (80-57) is six games behind in the loss column ,to Tampa Bay (84-51), and it's obvious the Red Sox will need help if they are to catch the Rays.

The Yankees (73-64) seem to be out of it, but are close enough to hold onto hope for one more run.

The Portland Sea Dogs set their pitching rotation for the upcoming playoffs, while "lending" a pitcher to Pawtucket, for its playoffs.

The Dogs rotation:

Kris Johnson (8-9, 3.63), Clay Buchholz (1-0, 1.80), Ryne Lawson (1-1, 4.06), Dustin Richardson (7-10, 6.59) and Dave Gassner (8-5, 5.82).

Portland starter Adam Mills (0-5, 4.00) is being sent to pitching-thin Pawtucket.

The Sea Dogs' best-of-5 playoff series with Trenton begins with two games in New Jersey, Wednesday and Thursday. Game(s) 3 and 4 (if necessary) are in Portland. Game 5, if needed, would be Sunday in Trenton.

With one out in the sixth inning, New Hampshire's Jonathan Diaz hit a fly to right, which Sea Dogs right fielder Jered Stanley never saw in the sun. The ball dropped in for a triple, ending Dustin Richardson's no-hit bid.

The shutout was gone after the next batter. Chris Gutierrez tripled to the gap in right center, scoring Diaz. With two outs, J.P. Arencibia singled in Gutierrez.

New Hampshire leads 2-1, going into the bottom of the sixth.

Through 5 innings, Portland Sea Dogs lefty Dustin Richardson has allowed one base runner (hitting Andrew Pinckney with a pitch in the second inning).

He has already tied his season-high for strikeouts with 10. He's thrown 60 pitches (43 for strikes).

Portland leads 1-0, going into the bottom of the fifth.

The Portland Sea Dogs play a meaningless Labor Day game for the first time since 2005. The Sea Dogs' playoff quest the past two years came down to Labor Day (as well as an extra game last year).

Now, with the Sea Dogs clinching a spot on Sunday, they can relax, while manager Arnie Beyeler contemplates his playoff roster.

Catcher John Otness, as expected, is out of the playoffs with a separated shoulder. Juan Apodaca takes his place.

Pitcher Dave Gassner, who was bumped in the elbow Sunday, said he is fine. He could be the starter in Game 3 or 4.

As for Clay Buchholz, he is still here. No official announcement has been made, but Buchholz is likely going to make a start in the playoffs for Portland (Game 2?)

Here is today's Sea Dogs roster: