MLB Playoffs 2011: With Beckett Healthy, How Far Will the Boston Red Sox Go?

With Josh Beckett returning Friday night from an ankle sprain that had him out since September 5, the Boston Red Sox's playoff hopes for 2011 are very much alive. The magic number for the Red Sox to clinch a spot in the 2011 MLB playoffs is now reduced to nine with their 4-3 victory over the Tampa Rays on Friday.

Beckett was definitely his old self before the ankle injury. He wen a solid six innings while only giving up three runs (two earned), walking one and striking out seven batters. The earned runs came on a two-run shot by Evan Longoria in the first inning when Beckett was still working off the rust since he had not pitched in almost two weeks.

With Beckett healthy and the win over the Rays, Red Sox Nation can lower the panic meter some more. The Sox will make it into the 2011 playoffs since they only need a combination of nine wins and Rays' losses to make it as the wild-card team.

With a four-game lead over the Rays with 12 games left, there is still a chance for the Sox to lose this fight for the wild card. I don't see this happening this season. The Sox are just too good. Plus, Beckett and Jon Lester have a combined five starts between them over this stretch.

The Sox even have a chance to win the AL East since they only trail the New York Yankees by 3.5 games and have a three-game series at Yankee Stadium next weekend. This series will be what will decide who wins the AL East and if the Sox can sweep it, then they have a better shot at the AL East title.

If the Sox make it to the postseason, it would be the first time since they were swept by the Los Angeles Angels in 2009. They could face either Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers, the tough offense of the Texas Rangers or the Angels if they can bridge their 3.5-game deficit to the Rangers over the final weeks.

No matter what team the Red Sox face, they will make it past the ALDS series, and if Erik Bedard comes back from his lat strain and can pitch, then the Red Sox could even make it past the Yankees in the ALCS.

The World Series would be between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Red Sox, but if the rotation isn't healthy and the offense can't do anything for the Phillies' pitching, then I expect the Red Sox to lose in six games. If their offense can flourish, then I can see the Sox winning in six games.