“We rely so much on Beckett,” Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said disconsolately, knowing he is down to Erik Bedard on Tuesday and Jon Lester on short rest Wednesday against a team that has (beaten) Boston in four of the last five games.
For those hoping the Yankees would ease the burden on the Sox by taking care of the resurgent Rays, Francona suggested the Sox and their fans (refrain) from scoreboard watching. That seemed like good advice when the Yankees (trotted) out Hector Noesi to start Monday, a clear (demonstration) of priorities.
“They can do whatever they want,” Francona said. “They played themselves into that position. I wish we had done that. They have an obligation to do what’s in their best interests.”
Inside the Red Sox’ clubhouse, the Yankees’ best interests were a matter of some debate, or wishful thinking.
Adrian Gonzalez went far enough to say that the Yankees would be “playing with fire” if they “let up on the gas pedal,” even for the final three games after clinching the A.L. East and home field in the (playoffs) during the last week.
