As they embark on their final road trip of the regular season -- a three-city venture against the Rays, Orioles and Reds -- the 83-63 Red Sox have a 3 1/2-game lead in the American League East, pending the outcome of the Yankees-Orioles game in Baltimore tonight.
The Sox are 4 1/2 games behind the Astros in the chase for the No. 2 seed in the AL, which would determine home field in an AL Division Series between the two clubs. Interestingly, the Red Sox and Astros close the regular season with a four-game series at Fenway Park.