Realistically speaking, the American League playoff roster is pretty well set. Barring unexpectedly dramatic swoons or charges, the Yankees will win the East, the Tigers will win the Central, the Angels will win the West, and the Red Sox will be the wild-card entry for the six time since the current post-season arrangement was implemented.

Boston opens its series tonight at Tampa Bay with a four-game lead over Texas, which it does not face again, and a five-game lead over the Rays, who the Red Sox will play six times this month. So while Tampa Bay has, for the past two seasons, been a pest the Red Sox have struggled to neutralize, the pressure is all on the defending AL champs. Basically, if the Red Sox can avoid a sweep this week in St. Pete, the Rays are barely breathing.

Of course, winning one of three would be no small feat for the Red Sox, considering their 2-13 record at The Trop the past two seasons. That, if nothing else, will make the Rays’ last standfor 2009 a challenge New Englanders will take seriously.

Tags: Angels, Rays, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees