Tuesday, May 21, 2013
The Boston Red Sox are one loss away (or wins by a few select teams) from clinching a top-10 draft pick for 2013. Being in the top 10 is important because, under the new collective bargaining agreement, a team cannot lose a top-10 pick, even if it signs a top free agent from another team.
One more loss will also mean 90 for the season - a low the Red Sox have not reached since 1966.
So far in September, Boston is 7-18. Only one game left this month, so last year's 7-20 mark is not reachable.
While pitching has been a problem for the Red Sox, they actually have a lot of pitchers they need to make decisions about, in terms of adding them to the 40-man roster or risk losing them. See Today's Column.
In Oakland, former Sea Dogs outfielder Brandon Moss continued his comeback to the majors with a walk-off home run for the A's.
It was the 21st home run for Moss, who Boston traded to Pittsburgh in 2008. After being a starting major league outfielder in 2009, Moss had played 22 game in the majors since (five last year) ... until his promotion to Oakland this season.
Oakland, besides being in the Wild Card hunt, is only 2.5 games behind Texas in the AL West. Detroit (85-73) is only two ahead of the White Sox (83-75). Interesting to note that no team in the American League has clinched a playoff spot, yet.
The last three days could be really interesting, with the Orioles at the Rays, and Boston in New York (at least the Red Sox are involved in a game that matters).
In the 2013 Draft "Race," the Astros have clinched the No. 1 pick. Boston is in line for the No. 7 pick, but could "move up" to No. 4.
Here are the standings:
AL EAST
Yankees 91-67
Orioles 91-67
Rays 87-71 (4)
WILD CARD
Orioles or Yankees 91-67
A’s 90-68
Angels 87-70 (2.5 back)
Rays 87-71 (3)
FOR THE 2013 DRAFT
1. Astros 52-106
Cubs 59-99
Rockies 62-96
Indians 66-92
Twins 66-92
Marlins 67-91
RED SOX 69-89
Blue Jays 70-88
Royals 71-87
Mets 73-85
Seattle 73-85
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Kevin Thomas covers baseball and basketball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 after working for the St. Petersburg Times. He is married to Nancy and they have nine children.
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Red Sox and Portland Sea Dogs on Clearing the Bases
Follow his thoughts on the Boston Celtics and Maine Red Claws on Holding Court
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