How can this be happening?

The one-time 14.5 game lead is now a game and a half. The Yankees swept the Orioles while the Red Sox were swept in Toronto. The Sox offense has disappeared since the 10-1 win over New York on Saturday, only scoring 8 runs in the last four games. Even the previously invincible Papelbon hasn't had it, giving up a grand slam in the last of the 8th last night to put the game out of reach.

Can they possibly blow this? It sure looks that way. A sweep in Tampa this weekend is imperative, and hopefully the Blue Jays will give New York some of what they gave the Sox.

Boston will almost certainly make the playoffs, but it would be a huge disappointment to go in as the wild card instead of the AL East champions.