Patriot's Day 2012: Boston Red Sox Must Deliver Series Win vs. Tampa Bay Rays

On the third Monday of every April, Patriot's Day is held in Massachusetts and Maine. While much is made of the Boston Marathon that day, the one event that matters most to sports fans in that area of the country is the Boston Red Sox game. 

They'll be taking on the Tampa Bay Rays in the early afternoon, and they have to give the fans a victory over their division rival to ease the hearts and minds of many. 

Patriot's Day is a huge celebration and it would easily be ruined if the Red Sox lost another baseball game. Currently 1-4, Boston is off to yet another poor start, but come Patriot's Day, fans are going to want a win. 

They'll take a win any way they can get it and they'd certainly prefer it to be a series sweep against Tampa Bay. Of course, that's very unlikely, especially given the way both teams have been playing to start the year. 

Still, the Red Sox have to get a victory on Patriot's Day to lift the spirits of their fans. It's a holiday for them and they would want nothing more than to see their beloved Red Sox beat the tar out of a division rival.

A series win over the Rays would also give the Red Sox some good confidence and strong momentum moving forward, which would be huge. It's the Red Sox's first home series and the start of a long home stand, so winning big is a must. 

Usually referred to as "Marathon Monday," it's no secret that Boston fans care more about the Red Sox games. Yes, the Boston Marathon is a great spectacle and it is rather early in the 2012 MLB season, but they're very passionate about baseball in the Northeast, so that's where their focus will be. 

That being said, the Red Sox better deliver a victory to their great loyal fans on Patriot's Day this year. The last time they played Tampa Bay on the holiday was in 2010 and the Red Sox lost 8-2. That can not happen again. 

Sports bring people together and make people happy, especially when their favorite team is winning. Give the folks a holiday loaded with sporting events to celebrate, and they're going to want to see their team victorious.