Sports: Up next: Red Sox

Up next: Red Sox

By JOHN ROMANO

Today: 7:05 p.m., Tuesday: 7:05 p.m., Wednesday: 7:05 p.m., Thursday: 7:05 p.m.

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SEASON IN REVIEW: The Red Sox have been without injured shortstop Nomar Garciaparra the entire season and recently lost catcher Jason Varitek to a broken elbow, yet they continue to hold off the Yankees in the AL East. The shaky relationship between manager Jimy Williams and general manager Dan Duquette continues to draw attention, but it has not kept Boston from beating up on the division.

SCOUTING REPORT: Pedro Martinez gets the attention outside Boston, but the Red Sox may have the most well-rounded staff in the league. Even without Martinez, the Red Sox would be leading the AL in ERA. The offense has an all-or-nothing feel to it: plenty of power but little speed and too many strikeouts. Manny Ramirez and Carl Everett give Boston one of the best duos in the middle of the order. Garciaparra has begun workouts but is not expected to be activated this week.

CONNECTIONS: Rolando Arrojo, the Rays' first All-Star, has found a new home in Boston. Arrojo has been the swing man, throwing middle relief, occasionally closing and starting once. Williams is a longtime Dunedin resident. Rays catcher John Flaherty began his career with the Red Sox.

SEASON SERIES: "Competitive" would not be the word to describe it. The Rays have lost all nine games against the Red Sox in 2001 and have been outscored 67-20. Tampa Bay's longest losing streak against any club is 11 versus the Yankees in 1998-99. Tampa Bay's all-time record at Fenway Park is 8-13.

WHO'S HOT: Dante Bichette was swinging a hot bat at Tropicana Field last week and has not slowed. Bichette is hitting .441 (15-for-34) with two home runs and six RBI in his past nine games.

WHO'S NOT: Everett is nursing a sore knee after diving for a Flaherty double Thursday at Tropicana Field. Even before, the Tampa native was struggling, with four hits in his past 26 at-bats.