10/1: Hello, October

GAME NOTES: You could make the case Cleveland is worse than Toronto and Kansas City. Let's hope so... so we can finally win a freaking game. Jon Lester takes the mound in a big tune-up game for him.

9/30: Scrub time

GAME NOTES: Well, the Sox lost last night... but clinched the Wild Card. Whatever works, I guess. Scrub lineup tonight, check the comments for it. Please note I will be holding live chats for every playoff game the Red Sox are in.

POLL: No. 3 starter?

New Poll Question: Who should be considered the No. 3 starter?

• Clay Buchholz
• Daisuke Matsuzaka
• Tim Wakefield
• My grandmother
  

In the wake of Clay Buchholz's poor start in Toronto, it's a legitimate question. We determined Dice-K should be the No. 4 starter in a previous poll, but should he jump up a notch?

As always, new poll is up to the right...vote away and argue it out in the comments.

Chatting with Chris McGuiness

Drafted out of The Citadel in the 2009 amateur draft, Red Sox prospect Chris McGuiness had at age 21 what could be termed a successful transition to pro ball with a .255/.374/.434 line in 196 at-bats for Single-A Lowell.

Playing first base, McGuiness admitted the process that landed him with Boston was stressful. "As a player, you are unsure of and really have no choice on who picks you and in what round."

The who? Boston. The round? 13, which was high enough for McGuiness to forego his senior year at The Citadel, a five-minute drive from where he grew up.

9/29: Time to Clinch

GAME NOTES: Okay, enough with the slump. Let's pop the bubbly.

9/28: Bowden subs in for Beckett

GAME NOTES: Josh Beckett has been scratched with mild back spasms with Michael Bowden taking his place. We looked so good going into October: a great bullpen, a good 1-4 rotation and a clicking offense. Now? Our top two pitchers are hobbled and our offense looks feast or famine. Good times.

Wholesale Keychain TRIVIA: Double-digit 3B+HR

Name the 15 players to rack up double digits in triples and home runs in a single season as a Red Sox. Each name is worth .25 points.

Stephen Drew to Boston? Yes, please

I know, I know... we need to stay focused on 2009. The Sawx need to do what they can to win the World Series. Even after a demoralizing series to the Yankees, I feel the team has a great chance of picking up that crown. However... we gotta talk about 2010.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today said that the Diamondbacks plan on shopping shortstop Stephen Drew, with the Red Sox expected to make contact. 'Zona will seek pitching.

Drew's age 26 season has been solid for a shortstop: .258/.321/.432. However, coming off his .291/.333/.502 line from 2008, the year has been marked a disappointment. Having someone who can hit that as a base, though, with the potential for more is awesome.

Sox pitching coach John Farrell unable to manage in 2010

Well, some good news after a dreary weekend. John Farrell is reportedly unable to take a managerial job until after 2010. While it's not in doubt Farrell will one day manage -- and/or be a general manager -- having Farrell around for at least one more year will prove crucial, especially as this offseason figures to be a watershed one for the franchise.

9/27: A Byrd in the hand

GAME NOTES: Whatever.