The big series of the weekend features the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox. This rivalry started a couple years ago, and continues to heat up each year. Both teams have postseason on their mind, but with just three powerhouse teams in the divisional, one team at least will get left out. The Rays made the postseason in 2008, for the first time in franchise history, reaching the World Series. Boston and New York regained the top of the division last year, with the Yankees taking the whole thing.

The Red Sox come into the series with a 4-5 record, including just 1-2 at home. Boston was beat 2 out of 3 in their most recent series, the opening three games at new Target Field in Minneapolis. Tim Wakefield took a beating on Thursday in the 8-0 loss. Tampa Bay is coming off a road sweep in Baltimore. That was their first road series of the season, so the Rays will put their unbeaten record on the line. In the series over Baltimore, Tampa Bay out scored the lowly Orioles 22-8.

This weekend’s series will wrap around until Monday, so both teams will see enough of each other for some time. Wade Davis and Josh Beckett will get the party started on Friday evening. Davis is starting just his second game of the season, and eighth of his career. His first start was a 10-0 loss to the New York Yankees. Beckett, who was the opening day starter for Boston is 1-0 on the season with a no decision coming on opening day. Beckett will be making his 228th career start. Saturday Scott Shields will take the mound for Tampa Bay, and he will take on Clay Bucholz of Boston. Sunday’s game will feature Matt Garza and John Lester. The final game of the four game series at Fenway Park will showcase Jeff Nieman for Tampa Bay, and John Lackey for Boston.

Both teams feature plenty of offense. Tampa Bay has scored 46 runs in 9 games, while the Red Sox have scored 41. Tampa Bay has gotten solid production from Carl Crawford at the top of the order, with a .367 batting average, and also Carlos Pena in the middle of the order. Pena leads the team with 3 homeruns and 10 runs batted in. The Red Sox are getting a great start from former Most Valuable Player winner Dustin Pedroia. The second baseman is leading the team with a .405 batting average. He also has pounded 4 homeruns and drove home 10 guys.