Jon Lester

It was one thing for the rest of the Red Sox rotation to fall short. At this point, expectations were already measured for the likes of John Lackey, Tim Wakefield, Andrew Miller and Kyle Weiland.

But Jon Lester was another matter. He is the rock of the Red Sox rotation, and at a time when the rest of the team had been sagging, the left-hander had been willing to shoulder the load to give the Sox at least one day out of five when they would feature reliable starting pitching. He had gone five straight starts in which he’d allowed no more than one earned run, tied for the longest such run by a Sox left-hander since at least 1919.

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But on Sunday, that changed. In the course of a 43-pitch first inning, the Rays pushed three runs across the plate. They would tack on one more against Lester, who lasted just four innings, before continuing to do damage against the Boston bullpen in an eventual 9-1 smackdown.

And so, the Red Sox lost their buoy. The Rays and James Shields concluded their three-game sweep over the Sox, and suddenly the Sox’ safe passage into the postseason seemed dramatically imperiled.

On Aug. 7, the Rays were 11 games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, and 10 games behind the Yankees in the wild card standings. Now, with their three-game sweep in Tampa Bay, the Rays have slashed their deficit to the Sox — now in the wild card race rather than the division standings — to 3½ games, punctuating a stretch in which the Rays have gone 22-10 and the Sox have stumbled to a 15-18 mark.

Tampa Bay outscored Boston by a combined 22-8 score, and the Sox enter Monday’s off-day having lost five straight, 7-of-8, and 9-of-11. They are in their most pronounced state of crisis since their 0-6 start in April.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE RED SOX

– The Rays worked over Lester as never before. For the first time in his career, on a day when he threw more than 100 pitches, the left-hander could not work his way into the fifth inning. Instead, he allowed four runs on eight hits in just four innings, striking out two and walking three. In the first inning alone, the three earned runs permitted by Lester matched his total yield from his previous 30 innings.

– Lester’s dreadful outing continued one of the worst turns of the rotation by the Red Sox in years. The team has now had five straight starts of no more than five innings, the longest such stretch by the team since Sept. 21-25, 2001, when Casey Fossum, Derek Lowe, Hideo Nomo, David Cone and Frank Castillo taxed the Sox bullpen.

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Jon Lester

The Red Sox and Yankees wrap up their penultimate series of the regular season Thursday night in Boston before the Sox welcome another challenge in hosting the Rangers at Fenway. Jon Lester will look to continue his three-game win streak while A.J. Burnett takes another crack at turning around his disappointing season.

Lester (14-6, 3.09 ERA) has been on a roll as of late. After taking two tough-luck losses to start the moth, he’s allowed just one run in each of his last three starts and recorded three straight wins. Since the end of May, 10 of Lester’s last 13 outings have been quality starts. On the other hand, he’s struggled a bit with his control. The left-hander has walked at least one hitter in each of his 25 starts, and he’s given out 16 free passes in five August outings.

Lester has had plenty of experience against the Yankees’ 2011 lineup. In three starts, he’s 2-1 with a 5.00 ERA. The one loss came in Lester’s most recent matchup, a 3-2 defeat on Aug. 5. The Red Sox held a 2-0 lead heading into the sixth inning, but a three-run rally put New York on top for good, just the second time the Sox dropped a game to their division rivals this season.

The 27-year-old has experienced some issues at Fenway this season, going 5-4 with a 3.44 ERA, compared with a 9-2 record and 2.84 ERA on the road. Opponents are hitting .255 vs. Lester in Boston and just .201 away from home. The left-hander has allowed 14 of his 17 home runs against righties, and he has walked 29 more right-handed hitters than left-handed hitters.

The Yankees are hitting .243 with eight home runs against Lester in 295 combined plate appearances. Derek Jeter is the only Yankees hitter with a plus-.300 batting average against Lester. In fact, he’s the only Yankee hitter with an average above .250 vs. the left-hander. In his team-high 48 matchups with Lester, Jeter is hitting .333 with two RBIs, two walks and nine strikeouts. Mark Teixeira is hitting .235 with a home run, three RBIs and 14 strikeouts in 39 plate appearances, while Alex Rodriguez is at .188 with three home runs and nine strikeouts in 35 matchups with Lester.

Things have gotten progressively worse for Burnett (9-11, 5.31 ERA) in 2011, and its looking less and less likely the $82.5 million pitcher will even make the playoff rotation. New York fans may have been encouraged by Burnett’s win over Kansas City two weeks ago — his first since June — but the right-hander allowed three runs on 10 hits and did not pitch through the sixth inning. After that outing, Burnett gave up seven runs to the Twins in 1 1/2 innings and nine runs to the Orioles in five innings. In the month of August, Burnett is 1-2 with an ERA of 11.91 in five starts.

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Josh Beckett

The Red Sox and Yankees play the middle game of a three-game series Wednesday night at Fenway Park as the two bitter rivals fight for home field advantage in the playoffs. Boston will turn to Josh Beckett, who looks to continue his hot streak despite making his first start in a week. New York will hope Phil Hughes can turn things around against the Red Sox, as the young right-hander is winless against Boston this season.

Beckett (11-5, 2.43 ERA) is in the middle of his worst month of 2011 so far, which is hard to believe considering he’s 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in August. The one major blemish came against the Mariners on Aug. 13, when Beckett allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings. His four other outings this month were all quality starts and Red Sox wins.

One of those quality starts came against the Yankees on Aug. 7, when Beckett gave up just one run over six innings. He also held the Rangers to one run over six innings in his last start, a 13-2 win over Texas last Wednesday. One point of concern may be the home run numbers against Beckett; he’s given up at least one longball in each of his last seven starts, including two against the Indians and two against the Mariners. His 16 home runs allowed are the 28th most in the American League.

Beckett has dominated the Yankees in four starts this season, going 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA. The Red Sox haven’t lost to the Yankees in a Beckett start since last August. The 31-year-old wasn’t nearly as successful against New York in 2010, when he went 1-2 with a 10.04 ERA in five starts. Of course, an injury-riddled season left Beckett with a 5.78 ERA for the entire year, compared to his current ERA of 2.43, which ranks fourth in the majors.

The Boston starter has only lost once at Fenway Park this season, a 4-3 defeat at the hands of the Royals on July 28. The game was lost in the fourth inning, when Kansas City scored all four runs thanks to a three-run homer and a fielding error by Drew Sutton. Despite the loss, Beckett is still 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA at home.

The Yankees are hitting .264 with 18 home runs in 543 plate appearances against Beckett. Bobby Abreu is the only player in major league history to have faced the right-hander more than Derek Jeter, and the long-running Jeter-Beckett showdown has yet to find a decisive victor. In 93 matchups, Jeter is hitting .291 with four doubles, two home runs, nine RBIs and twelve strikeouts. Robinson Cano is the only Yankee with a batting average over .300 against Beckett, as he’s hitting .324 with eight doubles and three home runs in 75 plate appearances. Cano isn’t the only Yankee with good power numbers against the Boston starter, as Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson also have three home runs against Beckett, while Mark Teixeira has two.

The cards will be stacked against Hughes (4-4, 6.46 ERA) when he takes the mound against the Red Sox ace. The right-hander hasn’t recorded a win against the Red Sox since May 7, 2010, and that was thanks to a 10-run performance from the Yankees offense. It’s been a miserable season for Hughes, as his ERA has never been lower than 5.75 all year.

The 25-year-old has struggled to find a rhythm because of a three-month stint on the disabled list. After showing depleted velocity and allowing 16 runs in his first 10 innings of the season, Hughes was sent to the DL with a shoulder injury. He pitched two of those first 10 innings against the Red Sox on April 8, allowing six runs on seven hits to give Boston its first win of the season.

Earlier this month, Hughes managed to pitch back-to-back quality starts for the first time all year, holding the Twins and Rays under three runs over six-plus innings. However, the streak was snapped by the A’s in his last start, when Hughes allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Yankees still managed a win, thanks to a league-record three grand slams.

In his last appearance against the Red Sox, Hughes came on to pitch the 10th inning at Fenway Park in a 2-2 game on Aug. 7. After yielding a one-out double to David Ortiz, Hughes gave up a walk-off single to Josh Reddick and took his fourth loss of the year. It wasn’t the first time the right-hander struggled at Fenway Park; over the last three years, Hughes is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in Boston.

As a team, the Red Sox are hitting .256 with two home runs in 104 combined plate appearances against Hughes. Ortiz is batting .467 with a home run, three triples and five RBIs in 18 matchups, while Jacoby Ellsbury is 3-for-6 with a double and two walks. Although Boston’s lefties have done well against Hughes, right-handed hitters like Dustin Pedroia and Marco Scutaro have struggled. Pedroia is hitting .200 with a home run and three strikeouts in 17 plate appearances, and Scutaro is at .199 with two strikeouts in his team-high 23 matchups with Hughes.

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Erik Bedard

The Red Sox finish their doubleheader against the Athletics Saturday at 5 p.m. The Red Sox will try to finish the series strong before getting two days off before welcoming the Yankees to town.

Erik Bedard (4-9, 3.57 ERA) takes the mound in the nightcap, still looking for his first win with the Red Sox. Bedard pitched well for the first five innings of his Aug. 22 start against the Rangers but then allowed three runs in the sixth to put the game out of reach against Red Sox killer C.J. Wilson. More encouraging than the loss was Bedard’s 108 total pitches, the most since June 5 with the Mariners. Bedard also walked fewer than two batters for the third time in four starts with the Red Sox.

Bedard last faced the Athletics in 2009, going 2-0 with a 0.60 ERA. Though 4-3 with a 2.89 ERA lifetime against Oakland, Bedard has dominated the A’s recently, winning his last four decisions dating back to July 20, 2007.

Only five Athletics have faced Bedard, and of them Hideki Matsui poses the biggest challenge. Matsui is batting .409 with a .458 OBP against Bedard, and his four RBIs are the only RBIs Oakland has. Conor Jackson’s double is the only extra-base hit. The Athletics collectively bat .197 with a .279 OBP and .213 slugging against Bedard.

Graham Godfrey (1-1, 4.24 ERA) will be making just his fourth career appearance in the big leagues, and his first since June 23. The 27-year-old was drafted out of the College of Charleston by the Blue Jays in the 34th round of the 2006 draft, and was traded to Oakland for Marco Scutaro in 2007. In five minor league seasons, Godfrey is 39-34 with a 4.14 ERA and a WHIP of 1.38

Godfrey did not fare well in his major league debut against the White Sox on June 10, when he allowed five runs on nine hits and a home run over 4 1/3 innings. He showed significant improvement in his next start, holding the Giants to one run on six hits through seven innings to earn his first career win. Godfrey has thrown at least 90 pitches in each of this three starts.

The right-hander has struggled on the road, allowing nine of his 11 runs away from home and allowing opposing batters to hit .349, compared with .222 at home. Right-handers have dominated Godfrey, hitting .400 with two home runs in 12 combined at-bats. The Oakland starter has yet to face the Red Sox, who lead the league in batting average and slugging percentage, and rank second in runs scored and on-base percentage.

Athletics vs. Bedard

Hideki Matsui (24 plate appearances): .409 BA/.458 OBP/.409 SLG, 4 RBIs

Coco Crisp (14): .077/.143/.077

Kurt Suzuki (11): .000/.091/.000

David DeJesus (9): .000/.222/.000

Ryan Sweeney (7): .167/.286/.167

Conor Jackson is 1-for-3 with a double in three appearances.

Brandon Allen, Cliff Pennington, Scott Sizemore, Eric Sogard, Jemile Weeks and Josh Willingham have not faced Bedard.

Red Sox vs. Godfrey

No player on the Red Sox roster has faced the Oakland starter.

Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling joined Sports Saturday to talk baseball in advance of the Red Sox’ doubleheader with the A’s.

The Cubs have an opening at general manager, and there has been speculation that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein could have interest. Schilling said it’s a definite possibility.

“That wouldn’t surprise me. It really wouldn’t surprise me,” he said. “I think the challenge, though, is that Red Sox baseball is part of his blood and his DNA. But if you’re looking at the only challenge left for him in the game, that would be it. I think there’s a lot of ifs there, I don’t know.”

Following are more highlights from the conversation. To hear the interview, go to the WEEI weekend audio on demand page.

On the Red Sox and Yankees pitching staffs:

“There’s a stark difference in both of the rotations. … I can’t fathom CC [Sabathia] won’t pitch on three days’ rest. I think the Red Sox have a deeper question. I’m not as concerned about three as I am four. I don’t know that they’re going to throw anybody on three days’ rest. … I think it’s the same question both ways. I think the Red Sox are looking for two starters behind [Josh] Beckett and [Jon] Lester and the Yankees are looking for two starters behind [Sabathia].”

On going with John Lackey or Erik Bedard in the playoffs:

“In my mind, if the postseason starts today, those are my 3 and 4s. I think what I do is I go with the matchup luxury. Which guy matches up better with which team and which lineup? If you’re talking about Round 1 against Texas, I’m thinking Bedard would probably be my guy.”

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Adrian Gonzalez belted two more home runs as the Red Sox took three out of four from Texas. (AP)

A little more than a week ago, Red Sox manager Terry Francona suggested that the next two weeks could be a trying time for his club. Kevin Youkilis was going on the disabled list and David Ortiz was going to sit out with an aching right heel. Eight days later, the Sox are looking a lot better after they wrapped up an eight-game road trip with a 6-0 win over the Rangers in Arlington.

The Sox are 30 games over .500 (80-50) for the first time this season and are coming home with a one-game lead in the American League East in their backpocket.

They bashed four more home runs on Thursday, giving them nine for the series with Texas. Once again it was Adrian Gonzalez who did the most damage. Gonzalez drove the first pitch he saw to center field to put the Sox up early and then he did the same thing to the next pitch he saw — launching it an estimated 448 feet. Going back to Wednesday’s game, Gonzalez hit three home runs on three straight pitches.

Ortiz also went deep — his first home run since returning from a right heel injury — and Jarrod Saltalamacchia added to the fun with one of his own in the fourth with an opposite-field shot. That was more than enough for Andrew Miller, who turned in his best start of the season.

WHAT WENT RIGHT FOR THE RED SOX

- Is is time to reassess Miller? The big lefty worked into the seventh inning for the first time as a member of the Sox and he’s allowed just one run in his last 12 innings. He was dominant through the first five innings, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five. It was the Sox first shutout since July 20 against the Orioles.

Miller pitched through trouble in the sixth after a walk and a Marco Scutaro error put two on with nobody out and the top of the Ranger lineup staring him in the face. But Miller got through the jam, striking out Josh Hamilton — the third time he struck out the former MVP.

The Sox decision to go with a six-man rotation for the time being has paid off, especially with Saturday’s doubleheader against Oakland looming. Miller is making a case for a role somewhere on the staff down the stretch.

- It’s been a trying month for Josh Reddick but in the second inning he did something he had only managed to do one other time in August. He doubled. Reddick has been mired in a terrible slump, going 4-for-31 entering play on Thursday and with JD Drew getting closer to a possible return, Reddick needs to take advantage of his opportunities while they’re still available.

- Alfredo Aceves continued his run of strong performances with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, extending his scoreless streak to 8 1/3 innings. In his last five appearances, Aceves has allowed three hits while striking out 12 batters. Aceves seemed to struggle a bit with his command at times, but he made it through his stint unscathed.

WHAT WENT WRONG FOR THE RED SOX

- After Saltalamacchia’s homer, the Sox bats went silent against Texas reliever Scott Feldman who retired seven straight batters and allowed just two hits and a walk over four innings.

- Carl Crawford extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single to lead off the fourth, but he also struck out twice and hit into a double play.

- Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia went 0-for-9 combined from the leadoff and clean-up spot, respectively. Four home runs from the rest of the lineup will usually help cover for the rare off night from those two.

Andrew Miller

The Red Sox and Rangers wrap up a four-game series Thursday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington before the Sox head home to host the A’s. Andrew Miller will make his second start in as many outings for Boston, while Texas counters with 27-year-old Alexi Ogando, a surprising right-hander who has solidified the back of the Rangers’ rotation.

Miller (5-1, 4.99 ERA) has been used mostly in a relief role as of late, but he impressed as a starter last Friday against the Royals. In 5 1/3 innings, he allowed one run on three hits while walking two and striking out three. The 5-1 win was Miller’s first since July 20. Miller has been a much more effective pitcher on the road, with a 3.98 ERA and .267 batting average against away from home and a 6.88 ERA and .366 batting average against at Fenway. Miller has allowed three of his five home runs at home.

The left-hander hasn’t had much of an advantage against left-handed hitting, but he has done well to recover from a shaky month of July. In six appearances last month, he posted a 6.28 ERA but pulled off a 3-1 record, mostly because the Red Sox scored at least 10 runs in three of his starts. However, at times even Boston’s top-ranked offense couldn’t bail out Miller, especially when he allowed seven runs on July 15 against the Rays and seven runs on July 26 against the Royals. Still, he’s rebounded to a 3.24 ERA in August.

Ogando (12-5, 3.30 ERA) got off to a strong start, but his performance has steadily declined throughout the season. The 27-year-old has never pitched a full season in the major leagues. He was used sparingly as a reliever in 2010. Ogando has started all 24 games he’s appeared in this season and opened the campaign with 13 straight shutout innings. The right-hander was brought back down to earth in his third start when he allowed three home runs to the Yankees on April 17.

August has been Ogando’s worst month so far this year, as he’s allowed 14 runs in 22 1/3 innings. Still, he’s managed to win his last two decisions thanks to the Rangers’ offense, which has scored at least five runs in three of his last four starts. Texas only managed two runs in Ogando’s last outing, a 3-2 loss against the White Sox on Saturday. Ogando allowed just two runs over seven innings, but Chicago broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth off Koji Uehara.

The Dominican Republic native has been far tougher on right-handed hitting this season, allowing a .203 average against righties, compared to .252 against lefties. Ogando has allowed 12 home runs, eight of which have come from left-handed hitters. The numbers show that offenses are hitting far better against Ogando when they see him for a second and third time. Fortunately for him, the Red Sox have only amassed nine total plate appearances against the right-hander. Marco Scutaro has the only hit off Ogando in three career plate appearances.

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