45 (Day Two)

An ugly game last night, so this will be short. The Sox lost 7-1 to the Tigers. Contreras got ripped for seven earned runs in just five innings. The Sox's offense consisted of Jermaine Dye's 34th home run. Justin Verlander scattered just six other hits to garner his 15th win. The Magic Number remains at 45, but Detroit's lead bulges to 6.5 games. The Sox still have a half-game margin over the idle Twins and four games over the shell-shocked Red Sox in the Wild Card race.

Tonight, Mark Buehrle takes on Kenny Rogers. Buehrle had better watch out for Craig Monroe, who is hitting .455 against him in 22 career at bats, and Mags, who is three for six against his old teammate. Brian Anderson is three for four against Rogers, and Joe Crede is five for 15, but Sandy Alomar, Jr., has the most hits against the Gambler -- 14 for 45 (.311). Since A.J. is only one for six, look for Buehrle's personal catcher, Alomar, to get the start. Go Sox!