Preview/Prediction

By no stretch of the imagination does the phrase “Showdown in the Bronx” hold any unjust meaning.

Time and space do not favor the Red Sox in their quest to chase down the American League Wildcard spot.

53 games appear plenty of time to gradually sneak up and steal the one and only AL Wild Card slot, let alone outright win the AL East.

Boston comes into New York after splitting a four game set against the struggling Cleveland Indians.

When the Twins struggled their way into the All-Star break, going 8-13 and falling to third place in the American League Central division, things were looking pretty bleak.

All-Star first baseman Justin Morneau hasn't played a game since July 8 after suffering a concussion. 

Currently infielder Nick Punto and Gold-Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson are on the disabled list.

Here is the lineup the Red Sox used on Wednesday:

Ellsbury CF, Scutaro SS, Ortiz DH, Martinez C, Drew RF, Beltre 3B, Lowell 1B, Kalish LF, Hall 2B

If that lineup seems a little bit out of the ordinary, you are right. However, abnormal batting orders have not been out of the ordinary for the Red Sox this season. They have used 94 different batting orders this season, compared to 74 for the division rival Yankees.

Alex Rodriguez joined an elite group of men who have hit 600 in baseball history. Congratulations A-Rod!

Unfortunately, Shaun Marcum joined an exclusive group as well. For every 600th home run that's hit, someone has to serve it up. Here are the men who became famous by throwing the ball that ended up in Cooperstown.

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2:20pm ET, Friday, 8/6 TV: FSOH, CSN

Probable pitchers: Bronson Arroyo (11-6, 4.01) vs Tom Gorzelanny (6-5, 3.48)

1:05pm ET, Saturday, 8/7 TV: FSOH, CSN

Sunday night, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox pitching match-up of AJ Burnett and Josh Beckett is by far the most exciting.

The Yankees will have their hands full here on Sunday night pending which AJ Burnett is on the mound against a healthy Josh Beckett.

Both pitchers have a lot of passion and will fight till the end if need be, bloody and all. If there is ever a chance for a good, old-school Yankees-Red Sox bench clearing brawl...Sunday night is the perfect set-up.

Let’s look at Sunday match-up:

Just a few weeks ago I was reading articles on why the Phillies season was done. Now, they were very well written, but the authors seemed to be jumping the gun on the Phillies' season. The Phillies seem to be bouncing back even with their injury ridden lineup, winning eight of their last ten games.

Now only two games behind the Atlanta Braves, who appear to be in quite a slump, going four and six in there last 10 games, and not showing too many signs of improvement.

These are five reasons why the Phillies will make yet another post-season appearance.

As April and May flew by, the White Sox were sitting at nearly 10 games back and well under .500 in the American League Central Division.

Countless fans did not seem to notice the depressing White Sox team, with the Chicago Blackhawks in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1992. 

Los Angeles Dodgers fans have been taking nothing short of a mental beating over the last week.

Heading into Wednesday evening's contest against the division-leading San Diego Padres, the Dodgers were informed that they would be without All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal probably until the beginning of their East Coast road trip early next week.

And just moments before the game began, the team learned that everyday catcher Russell Martin was headed to the disabled list with a labrum tear in his right hip.

With #600 now in the past, the New York Yankees are ready to take on their rivals, the Boston Red Sox.

Boston has been hit hard with the unfortunate injury bug. Making the six and a half games the Red Sox need to catch the first place Yankees, who are tied with Tampa Bay Rays, not completely out of reach.