As we move deeper into the offseason, I will be recalling month by month the 2007 season of the World Champion Boston Red Sox.

JULY

Although the Sox were coming off their worst month of the year in June (13-14), they were still well in control of the AL East entering July.  But, the Sox continued to play sub-par as they reached the "dog days of Summer."

After losing the first game in July to Texas, the Sox bounced back with 4 in a row, including a sweep over Tampa Bay, in their first meeting of the year.  However, they were swept in a 3 game set @ Detroit to end the 1st half of the year.  The Sox entered the all star break with a solid 9.5 game lead in the AL East, but the Yanks were back @ .500 and that was not a good sign. 

After starting the second half with a 3-5 record, the Sox pulled off a big 5 game winning streak and won 8 of 9.  They lost 2 more to end the month, and the Yanks were suddenly closing in.  The Sox finished July 15-12.

AL EAST STANDINGS (AFTER JULY 31)

BOSTON 64-42

NY YANKEES 57-49 7 GB

TORONTO 53-53 11 GB

BALTIMORE 50-55 13.5 GB

TAMPA BAY 40-66 24 GB

AUGUST

The Sox won 4 out of 5 to start August, but then lost 2 out of 3 in back to back series, against the Angels and Orioles.  After that, the Sox began to get on a roll.  They won 4 out of 6 against Tampa Bay and split a 4 game sit against the Angels in between.  They followed that all up with a 4 game sweep over the White Sox.  Things were looking good until they traveled to Yankee Stadium.  With their 3 best pitchers on the hill against New York, they were swept.  They followed up the disastrous series with a loss to Baltimore to end the month.  The Sox finished August with a 16-13 record, but the Yanks were on fire and the pressure was on.

AL EAST STANDINGS (AFTER AUGUST 31)

BOSTON 80-55

NY YANKEES 75-60 5 GB

TORONTO 68-66 11.5 GB

BALTIMORE 59-74 20 GB

TAMPA BAY 55-80 25 GB

With The Yanks closing in on the Sox, Red Sox Nation was in a near sense of panic.  Could the Sox really blow a huge lead, that once was as high as 14.5 GB?  It was too scary to even think about.  But, it allowed the Sox to focus and get ready for the final month of the season and ultimately October.