It Must Be Frustrating for the Red Sox

You gotta feel bad for the Red Sox. On August 2nd, they were only down 1/2 a game to the Yankees, with 4 big games coming up and a chance to take the lead back. The Red Sox would lose those four to the Yankees and fall way back of the AL East leaders.

Despite the Red Sox going 12-3 in their past 15 games, they actually haven't gained any ground over that time. Why? The Yankees are 23-6 since August 2nd.

The magic number is now at 23 with the Red Sox still in a battle for their playoff lives with Texas 2.5 behind and Tampa only 5.

But Josh Beckett has won one game since August 1st and has a 7.24 ERA. According to Baseball Musings Day By Day Database, the bullpen has a .829 OPS against with 14 HR against since trading Justin Masterson at the trade deadline (as compared with a .679 OPS and only 24 HR in 1,118 ABs before)--and that's even before you consider tonight's game where the bullpen gave up the three deciding runs including a homerun by Evan Longoria off of Manny Delcarmen.

But despite that they are winning...just not gaining any games on the Yankees. Gotta feel bad for them (NOT!)