Minnesota at Boston

The Red Sox seem to be teasing with the idea of winning the division, clinching the best record, and just when you think they have it, they slip. They will send Diasuke Matsusaka to the mound tonight to make yet another attempt to put the Yankees away and keep pace with the surging Indians. The Sox are just 5-7 since mid-September and Matsusaka has firmly hit the wall. The Sox have managed just two wins in his last eight starts. Matsusaka has walked 26 in his last 45 innings, and has either lost command as the season has progressed or has become bat shy. The reason is a 7.09 ERA in those eight starts. Meanwhile Kevin Slowey has become the pitcher the Twins had expected. He took his lumps early, but has really grown and become a confident pitcher on the mound as indicated by his 2.63 September ERA, and his seven-inning one-run, nine strikeout gem his last time out. The clincher has to wait another day as the Twins spoil one at Fenway.