They’re Coming For Us

Somewhere a deer stands in a forrest, serenely munching some flora. Despite its calm exterior, the animal is ever-ready for flight. It knows that at any moment the presence of a predator may necessitate a quick escape. It is never really safe. It can never really relax. As long as it is alive something or someone wants it dead.

Jul 31, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey (41) reacts to giving up a run during the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt about it: the Sox are being hunted.

No lead is safe. Down by two runs last night, the Yanks battled back and won 9-6. Once behind by four games, the Rays are now just one tiny game back in the AL East.

There’s trouble at the top. Sitting in first place automatically puts a target on your back. And you’d better believe they’re gunning for us. The bullpen is shaky. When Britton came into the game with bases loaded no one was too surprised when he allowed a bases-clearing triple. The starting pitching has had its good moments (Lackey against the Yanks on Saturday) and its not-so-good moments (Dempster last night, Doubront on Friday). Can the Sox hold on? If they lose first place and end up in one of the two Wildcard seats, can they win a one-game playoff against a team like Oakland or Baltimore?

Can the Sox sense the oncoming danger in time to flee? Will they lose first place and need to go on the hunt themselves? Lace up your running shoes and sharpen your hunting knives. The playoff hunt is on.