Even though Boston has been sluggish and the Yankees have overachieved, New York cannot shake the Sox

It must be frustrating being the New York Yankees this season. They have overachieved - playing as well as they can possibly play - while the Red Sox have yet to demonstrate their full capabilities, and yet the rivals are tied for first place in the American League East at 34-24.
Make no mistake, this Red Sox team is good. Very good. This is illustrated by the fact that they are 10 games over .500 despite all of the obstacles they have faced, including the shockingly subpar numbers produced by the starting rotation, David Ortiz's season-long slump and the dismal shortstop situation. These setbacks would have devastated most teams, but not the Red Sox. Not a ballclub with tremendous depth, one of the best bullpens in recent major league history and a lineup that is usually productive, even with Ortiz's sub-.200 average.
Last night's one-hit shutout by Josh Beckett over six innings is one of the ace's best regular season starts since he joined Boston in 2006. Unlike earlier in the season, when he was burned by mistake pitches in every start, Beckett baffled Yankees' hitters with a diet of ideally located fast balls and knee-buckling curves. Robinson Cano mustered the only hit off Beckett, and his sharply hit grounder was snagged by a diving Dustin Pedroia, who was unable to transfer the ball from the glove to his throwing hand.
Beckett's mound foe, A.J. Burnett, was pummeled by the Red Sox for the second time this season. So much for the Yankees overpaying for Burnett because of his successful track record against the Sox. Burnett was erratic, walking five batters and throwing 84 pitches in 2.2 innings. Boston reached him for five runs (three earned) and five hits, including a solo home run to center field by Ortiz and a clutch two-run double from J.D. Drew.
Beckett departed after six innings, in which he allowed no runs and one hit while striking out eight and walking two. Though no-hitters are exciting to watch - Beckett carried a no-no into the seventh inning in his start last week at Detroit - it is good that Cano singled with two outs in the fourth. I'm sure Terry Francona was relieved because Beckett's pitch count was rising. He threw 94 pitches in six innings, so it is unlikely he would have been able to last nine innings even if he was tossing a no-hitter.
Of course, with Boston's bullpen, shared no-hitters are always a possibility. The Sox pen led the majors with a 2.76 ERA entering last night's game. Manny Delcarmen pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, though he did surrender the Yankees other hit. Ramon Ramirez was summoned with two on and one out in the eighth and induced an inning-ending double play. Daniel Bard was the most impressive reliever on Tuesday. He retired the Yankees in order, and his fast ball ranged from 98-100. Bard now has a 0.82 ERA in 10 appearances.
It is becoming increasingly evident that Bard is for real, and the Red Sox should resist the temptation to deal him, even if a deal would net them someone like J.J. Hardy. Bard is insurance in case Jonathan Papelbon gets injured, and for the long term he is a go-to guy if Papelbon makes outlandish salary demands when he becomes a free agent (which is sure to happen).
Though they have yet to show it in 2009, the Red Sox have the best team in baseball. Beckett and Jon Lester are pitching like aces again, and even though Daisuke Matsuzaka looks shaky, Boston's starting pitching depth will help. John Smoltz is set to make one more rehab start at Triple-A Pawtucket and then make his Red Sox debut on June 16 against the Florida Marlins at Fenway Park. Clay Buchholz is dominating Triple-A hitters and itching for a return to the majors. The depth - which also includes Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden and Junichi Tazawa - allows the Sox to sell high on Brad Penny, who could yield shortstop prospect Jason Donald if Philadelphia wants the right-handed starter's services.
Though the Sox have looked sluggish in recent weeks, there is reason for optimism. Ortiz has a seven-game hitting streak and looks much better at the plate. The team is keeping up with the Yankees, even though the Yankees have been on fire and guys like Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay and J.D. Drew have not been hitting well lately. Jed Lowrie's rehab is progressing nicely, and he could return later this month, allowing Nick Green to move to a utility role for which he is better suited and spelling the end of Julio Lugo's Red Sox tenure. The return to prominence of Beckett and Lester will help the Sox avoid prolonged losing streaks.
Who knows what will happen in tonight's game. Will the Tim Wakefield who causes hitters to aimlessly swat at fluttering knuckleballs be on the mound, or will it be the Wakefield who serves up batting practice? Of course, the Yankees are even more uncertain about their starter. The once formidable Chien-Ming Wang has a 14.47 ERA and has not fooled hitters this season. The Yankees had to reach into their already thin bullpen early last night. They need Wang to deliver a deep start.
I do think it is important that the Sox take two out of three in this series. This will not only ensure that they head to Philadelphia tied for first place in the AL East, but it will also show the Yankees that even though they have yet to see the best Boston has to offer, they still cannot shake the Sox, even with all the winning they have done.