Round 3, Sox Lead Series 6-1
By Thursday night the Red Sox could be 2.5 games out of first place, or they could be 8.5 games back in third place behind the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Very scary indeed.

"We have to go down there, put the pressure on them and win some of those games," said Boston's David Ortiz, who leads the AL with 72 RBIs, and was voted the AL player of the week.

Its easy to forget that the Sox made fools of the Yankees last time they met up in the Bronx, but only a fool would think it is going to be that easy again. Foolish thinking but not impossible. The Sox lead the league in ERA, doubles, and only one team has scored more runs than the Sox this year (Chicago White Sox). This time around the Sox have Nomar and Yankees killer Nixon back in the line up. Unfortunately this time Jetter and A-Rod (who were in the Yankees line up last time) will actually be showing up to play. In the past seven days the dueling short stops have combined for seven home-runs and 15 RBI.

"That's the team we're chasing," said Red Sox ace Curt Schilling, who's not slated to pitch in the series. "They have played phenomenal baseball since we last saw them. They're offensively as deep as we are. They are probably the only team in baseball that can say that. We need to go in there and close the gap. I am sure they are looking for a chance to put us out of the mix."

Chances are that by thursday night the Red Sox will not be 2.5 games out of first, nor will they be in third place. Every game counts and the Red Sox have 97 more to play.

"Everybody in this clubhouse understands that it's a series where we have an opportunity to gain a few games on the Yankees," said Nixon. "But everyone around here is a professional and understands you can't put more emphasis on the Yankees series than you can the Atlanta series or Oakland. Every series is important, because the more wins you get, the better opportunity you have of getting to the postseason."

Lowe vs Vasquez Tuesday night
Tim Wakefield vs Jon Lieber Wednesday night
Pedro Martinez vs Brad Halsey Thursday night
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