Boston Red Sox Ready To Repeat?

Needing only one more victory to secure a spot in the playoffs, the Boston Red Sox must start to prepare for postseason baseball.  

Although the Red Sox are only a 1.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays, and securing that division title eliminates the possibility of facing the Los Angeles Angels in the first round, it is essential for the Red Sox to forgo these ambitions and start preparations for the playoffs.  

The next question is, how does Terry Francona set up his team be poised for a seconds consecutive championship?  

First, get J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell back.  Both veterans did fantastic in last year's playoffs, so I don't think either will be overwhelmed by the playoff atmosphere, which many players are after missing time and being thrown back into the roster just as the playoffs begin.  

Many forget Drew carried this team offensively through the first half of the season and although Lowell's numbers declined slightly from last year's surge, he is still has a great glove and is a hitter to be feared.  

Second, David Ortiz must play!  He is hitting .229 in September and resting him won't magically bring back the Big Papi of recent memory.  It is undeniable that Ortiz will be hurting during the playoffs with the lingering wrist and knee issues, however, never underestimate David Ortiz.  He was, after all, an undrafted free agent who only went on to become arguably baseball's most feared hitter.  

Francona must keep him in the lineup so that his timing stays sharp for playoff baseball.  

Finally, Bartolo Colon must be brought back with the recent struggles of Tim Wakefield. I am not saying hand the fifth spot in the rotation to Colon, but a little competition for that fifth spot might light a fire under both the pitchers.  

In three September starts, Wake has an ERA of 9.75 (5.66 since the break).  During the season I can take a few six-runs-in-the-first-few-innings outings, but in playoff baseball and the diminishing Sox offense, the Sox can't risk a blow up from Wakefield.  

With seven games to go the Red Sox have an opportunity to win the division and I am all for that. However, I only hope they play smart while preparing themselves for the postseason.