Kenny Rogers returned to action on Wednesday, and the Red Sox welcomed back with open arms. Manny Ramirez hit a Monster shot out of Fenway in the fourth, and the rout was on.

Rogers left after five innings and 89 pitches, trailing 5-1. The Rangers made it close, scoring four in the eighth to cut the lead to 7-5. But the Sox destroyed the weak Rangers bullpen in the bottom half of the inning.

I think the White Sox have been a great story this year. But the Red Sox are the best team in the American League. Their lineup is stacked. And when Curt Schilling comes back to the rotation, their starting five will be tough to beat.