Here is where the AL East standings are at this week:
The Red Sox dropped out of first place for a few days last week while they tangled with the red hot Rays, but by the time Friday rolled around the Sox were right back in 1st place like they have been for most of the season. The Sox lost 3 out of 4 games to the Rays, but have kept their foot to the pedal by winning a series against the Orioles and then sweeping the Mariners, including 2 epic walk off wins.
If the Sox want to stay in first place they are going to have to take advantage of the team they are playing in the next week. The Sox are facing the NL Diamondbacks this weekend and then head off to play the Astros and the Royals. The Sox made a big move at the trade deadline sending Jose Iglesias away and acquiring Jake Peavy to bolster the rotation. Peavy should make his debut on Saturday and be able to give the Sox the insurance down the stretch given Buchholz' continued struggles to back on the mound.
This Red Sox team has continued to surprise me this season. The Rays aren't going any place, but the Sox have shown that they aren't just going to roll over and give first place to them. The AL East looks like it will be a fight to the finish, but the Sox sure look in the hunt.
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