Red Sox vs. Rays: Xander Bogaerts back in action

Xander Bogaerts' brief neck-related absence is over. The Red Sox' young shortstop will bat second Wednesday night as they try to rebound from a disappointing late-inning loss against the Tampa Bay Rays.

With just five games to go, the Red Sox are generally in no rush to get their veterans starts. Mike Napoli has been missing for a week now, Ortiz' starts are sporadic at best, and the Brentzes of the world are our replacements. So it goes when the games are basically just a formality for both sides now. That will very likely be the case when New York comes to town in a couple days as well, given that their elimination number sits at all of one.

See, it's not all bad news! We may be miserable, but we'll always have our company.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.