Red Sox have postseason pulse

Boston has been declared dead for the playoffs--even by its own actions in inserting callups into the lineup--but the Red Sox are still within striking distance for a Wild Card berth. They trail the Yankees by six games and the Bosox have six left with their rivals. Boston has won four straight.   

It may be a longshot, but stranger things (as Mets' fans will attest) have happened.

As for the Yankees and Rays, the remaining schedule would suggest a slight edge to Tampa Bay. It hosts the Angels for three games this weekend, while the Yankees play at last place  but red-hot Baltimore. The Rays come to Yankee Stadium for four games, than have seven straight at home with Seattle and Baltimore.

Tampa finishes on the road with four games at Kansas City, where they traditionally have not played well, but we are talking about an opponent that is 28 games out of first place.

After hosting Tampa, the Yankees face Boston for three games at Yankee Stadium. They end the regular season on the road in a three-game set at Toronto and Boston.