Boston Red Sox Must Win Series vs. New York Yankees

As soon as the Boston Red Sox were looking good after winning three of four against the Chicago White Sox, they went and lost five of six against the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays. They know find themselves back below .500 with a record of 49-50.

That's good for last in the AL East, in case anybody was wondering.

Now the Sox are heading into a three game set against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, and it has never been more pivotal for Boston to win a series of games.

There has been nothing to drive the Red Sox lately. Sure, Cody Ross had that great walk-off home run last week, but Boston hasn't been able to win since that happened.

The Red Sox haven't made any big trades other than sending Brent Lillibridge away shortly after acquiring him for Kevin Youkilis. 

GM Ben Cherington has said that Boston is hoping to make a deal by next Tuesday's trade deadline, but so far Red Sox Nation has only received empty promises.

The Yankees, on the other hand, have the best record in baseball and just traded for Ichiro, adding outfield depth and a big-name player. 

While the Red Sox are floating in mediocrity, the Yankees are turning the best team in baseball into an even better team.

This is why the upcoming series is so important. The Yankees may have the better numbers and better overall team right now, but that doesn't mean Boston can't win.

Boston must win.

The Red Sox don't need to prove to Red Sox Nation that they can win, they need to prove it to themselves, and they need to do it now.

If Ben Cherington isn't going to get a deadline deal done, the Sox need to get the job done themselves.

Boston can defeat the New York Yankees—the giant that holds the best record in the MLB—and that victory can drive the Red Sox into August with a new sense of hope that can hopefully put them into the playoffs.