POINTSHAVERS.COM 09/12/08 - All year long, it seemed like the Red Sox were destined for greatness. After lifting the "Curse of the Bambino" and winning World Series Titles in 2004 and 2007....the 2008 Red Sox seemed like a "shoe-in" to make yet another appearance in the Major League Baseball Playoffs and perhaps grab a second consecutive World Series Title.

But then things started to slowly unravel in the summer of 2008 when Manny Ramirez starting barking louder about his unhappiness in Boston. The Red Sox promptly traded Manny away for Pirates OF Jason Bay who has played exceptionally well since arriving in Boston; but, he is still no replacement for Manny Ramirez who is arguably the best pure hitter in the game.

But despite missing Manny's bat in the order; the Red Sox still continued to win games and actually were able to improve on their miserable road record. So...everything seemed to be OK at Fenway.

But then Red Sox ace pitcher Josh Beckett started to completely fall apart. His starts turned from shaky to abysmal in a short amount of time. And when Beckett missed a game to seek medical attention for his ailing shoulder; we all figured that his poor pitching was the result of an undisclosed injury. But then we learned that Beckett was not injured at all...he was just pitching badly.

Even Daiske Matsuzaka's starts have gotten shaky; and just recently Tim Wakefield's knuckler is starting to get very hittable. Wakefield's ERA in Septemeber is 37.80!

We all knew that Boston's bullpen was a problem...but over the years, the Red Sox have been able to hit well enough to cover up that weakness. But since the Manny trade, the Red Sox bullpen has been under the magnifying glass. JD Drew's absence has also been a concern for the Red Sox. Drew is still on the DL with a lower back injury.

After losing 2 out of 3 to the Devil Rays and Fenway Park, the Red Sox need a win to retain their comfortable lead for the 2008 AL Wild Card. But this is an extremely difficult stretch for the Red Sox without their ace, Josh Beckett.

Could the Red Sox be cursed yet again? It hard to believe isn't it...but the Patriots and the Red Sox might both miss the playoffs this year.

Take Toronto Blue Jays (+140) vs Boston Red Sox

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