The pecking order in the American League East has been more or less undisturbed for a decade. It’s pretty much gone Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Orioles, Devil Rays. Sure, the Red Sox have won two World Series titles in the last four years, and some of the bottom feeders have swapped musical chairs, but the Yankees won the division title every single year from 1998 to 2006, while the Red Sox finished second from 1998 to 2005. In short, no team besides New York or Boston has been a legitimate threat in the American League East since Jeffrey Maier was in grammar school. Now it’s mid May and the Yankees are in last, the Rays are in first, the Earth has tottered off its axis, and I don’t know who I’m supposed to be rooting for.

First off, I know I’m supposed to be rooting for the Red Sox, since I’m a Boston fan and that’s what fans do. But for years (lifetimes, even), the next-best thing to a Red Sox’ win has been a Yankees’ loss. It’s hard to de-program yourself from thinking that way. So yesterday, when I saw that the Rays and Scott Kazmir were beating the Yankees and Ian Kennedy, I thought, “Awesome, the Yankees are losing. The Sox aren’t even playing today, but at least the Yankees are losing.” It took me a moment to remember that the Rays were in first place (and looking damn legit this year) while the Yankees have been sniffing butts (and seem content in doing so).

As a Sox fan whose team trailed the Rays by a half game before yesterday’s action, I’ve come to the conclusion that I certainly should have been rooting for the Yankees. Not just because I want my team to be as close to first place at all times. But because I genuinely believe that the Rays are a better team than the Yankees, and thus I want them to lose as much as possible.

Earlier this season David Pinto of The Sporting News wrote a seemingly kooky article, saying the Rays had the best pitching staff in the American League East. At the time, the notion seemed quaint (and wrong). Yet right now the Rays have a better team ERA than the Red Sox or Yankees. Moreover, it’s not even close. The Rays have the third-best ERA (3.64) in the American League, trailing only Toronto and Oakland. Meanwhile, the Sox and Yankees (and all their “great” young pitchers) are toiling in the middle of the pack, with 4.25 and 4.26 ERAs, respectively. Luckily for the Red Sox, they’re hitting a Major League-leading .294 as a team, and lead the A.L. in runs scored. The Yankees, meanwhile, are hitting .258 as a team and sit in 10th place in runs scored in the junior circuit. At best, they’re an all-around average team right now.

Listen, I’m not about to throw dirt on the Yankees’ grave, because they simply have too many resources to be counted out this early in the season. That said, it looks like it’s time to adjust my thinking about the American League East. The Rays look poised for a breakout season, while the Orioles have the capability to pester and nag all year. Meanwhile, Toronto is only one game under .500 – and a half game ahead of the last-place Yankees.

I know, I know, the Yankees were dead and buried last year, too, before they summoned the will to rise off the mat, make a sick second-half run, and get embarrassed in the playoffs for the fourth straight year. But do they have that in them again? Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. One thing’s for certain, however: The next-best thing to a Red Sox’ win isn’t necessarily a Yankees’ loss. Not anymore.

Cam Martin is a Sox fan who lives in Yankee country (Fairfield County, CT). He also covers baseball for Bugs&Cranks. E-mail: cdavidmartin@yahoo.com

One thing I have to say is that the Boston Red Sox should buy space on the front and back pages of every newspaper in this city and issue a thank you to the individuals in charge of the Spygate “probe” trash. Because if Spygate wasn’t the main topic these days, the Sox would be getting lambasted by every media outlet in New England, thought I’d drop a hint.

We all know the Sox dropped both games in their pressure packed two-game series with the Orioles, so I thought I’d make this short and sweet, just like the breathing room the Sox will have once the C’s and Spygate drop from the headlines. Viva la Lowrie!

First of all, Hansen had just battled Brian Roberts in a great at-bat. Sure, Roberts had worked a walk, but it’s not like Hansen’s control was all over the place. Roberts kept fouling off good pitches.

Hansen came into the game and allowed a single to the catcher, then fought Roberts to a full count. Ultimately, the payoff pitch barely missed, Roberts walked, and Hansen was in line to face Jay Payton, a righty, with the bases loaded. Hansen, whose role in the bullpen has obviously taken on greater importance with the departure of Julian Tavarez, needed to get out of this situation – for his long-term confidence and, in turn, the long-term benefit of the team. Instead, replacement coach Brad Mills takes out Hansen, replaces him with Okajima, and Payton hits a grand slam. I don’t know what the statistics say about bringing in a cold pitcher with the bases loaded, but I’m pretty sure they suck. Why? Because the guy is cold, so he wants to be sure to get the ball over the plate. Well, Okajima certainly succeeded in that – it was a big fat leg of lamb and Payton gnawed it off and tossed it.

In the end, Brad Mills succeeded in harming the confidence of two pitchers, when he had the opportunity to buoy the spirits of one who really needed it – and one who really wasn’t struggling. It doesn’t bother me that he took out a right-handed pitcher and replaced him with a lefty with a right-handed batter coming up, since Okajima is equally adept at getting out lefties and righties. What bothers me is that the Red Sox had the opportunity to build confidence in Craig Hansen, but Brad Mills hit the panic button and brought a cold reliever into a bases-loaded situation, when Hansen didn’t need to be replaced. If the guy has to take the freaking loss, man, let him lose the game.

Third baseman Mike Lowell went 6-for-17 (.353) with one home run, four RBIs and three runs scored. He has hit safely in six consecutive contests and looks fully recovered from the thumb injury that landed him on the disabled list.

First baseman Kevin Youkilis continued his breakout year. He went 6-for-15 (.400) in three games with one home run, three RBIs and three runs scored. He continues to maintain a fluid stroke that screams keen batting prowess. In my mind, Youkilis has morphed into one of the best hitters in the game and is as valuable at the plate as outfielder Manny Ramirez and designated hitter David Ortiz.

Outfielder Coco Crisp went 4-for-13 (.308) with two home runs, four RBIs, four runs scored and one stolen base. The competition between Crisp and Ellsbury has escalated over the last few weeks; something must be done soon because keeping each of these guys on the bench at any given moment promotes regression. Either one or none Sox, do something!

Starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka notched his sixth victory of the season in a six-hit performance with seven strikeouts and three walks. He conceded two runs in seven innings of work and once again pitched very smart. Let the wins keep on coming.

I truly think the Sox are going to go on a major winning streak very shortly, but the end of the rotation is truly worrisome. I think Wakefield is way too streaky and ageing quickly, Lester is developing too slowly and Buchholz is as unpredictable as the 2008 postseason version of the Boston Celtics. The problem is cohesion; they just haven’t fused as a team yet. They don’t seem to be feeding off each other, they seem tired all the time and they seem to be giving into whatever is grinding at them. By no means am I downplaying the fact that they are first in the American League East, but as an avid fan, I just know they can do better. Bottom line is that they shouldn’t be losing three games to the Twins in a four-game set. Viva la Lowrie!

In his brief work this season, Hansen has shown flashes of brilliance digestibility, which is more than you could say for Tavarez, who’s pitched admirably in the past but seemed to be throwing batting practice of late. Hansen had ESPN’s Steve Philips and Orel Hershiser drooling on each other during last week’s Detroit series, when his off-speed pitches were snapping across “multiple planes,” a phrase Hershiser mentioned at least 13 times in one inning. Discussed much less was Hansen’s ordeal with sleep apnea, which apparently caused him to snore, toss and turn, and look perpetually stoned. According to reports, that condition has now been rectified, although Hansen still looks like someone who’d bogart the spleef (like he did as Pickford in “Dazed and Confused”). Whether he can bogart big situations remains to be seen.

When Hansen arrived on the scene in late 2005, he endured his fits and starts. His “stuff” was an exciting mix of electricity and unbridled potential. Then came 2006 and 38 games of unbridled badness, with a 6.63 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. Personally, he engendered zero confidence, and even appeared to have been a bust (first-round draft pick out of St. John’s in 2005). He spent last year in Pawtucket, didn’t “grace” the team on its way to the 2007 World Series, and seemed headed for a career at Triple A. But then came word of his apnea, the corrective procedure, and this whole thing about “multiple planes.”

So, is Craig Hansen ready? Is he finally ready to pitch big-boy innings for a first-place team? I’ve seen him pitch two innings this year, so I can’t say for sure. Then again, he’s only pitched 2-plus innings in total, so can Francona and Farrell say either? All we know for certain is that Julian Tavarez will not be pitching in crunch situations anymore. And of that I will say, “All right, all right…”

Cam Martin is a Sox fan who lives in Yankee country (Fairfield County, CT). He also covers baseball for Bugs&Cranks. E-mail: cdavidmartin@yahoo.com

And who sponsors Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo? Yankee fans, of course.

Hey, you have to give them props. I checked Lugo’s page last week (while researching players who run like their butt’s on fire) and whoever runs this iYankees blog had written something like, “Have to love a Sox player whose on-base percentage is under .300.”

Touche. Can I suggest a future entry? “Somehow played shortstop on back-to-back World Series winners.”

Lo and behold, Lugo’s not the only Sox player who’s sponsored by fans from an opposing team. Think you can guess the other guys? Here are the sponsor pages and tributes for the key members of the 2008 Red Sox. Personally, my favorites are the sponsors for Youkilis, Casey and Lopez.

Varitek
FenwayFanatics.com
Home to Boston Red Sox baseball fans everywhere…
only the third player since 1923 to receive the
honor of being named captain of the Red Sox.

Youkilis
Brian Barreira, Massachusetts elder law attorney

Pedroia
Outincenterfield.com
Dustin rocketed through the ‘07 season with spectacular
offense and amazing defense. Congratulations to him on
winning 2007 Rookie of the Year. GO SOX!

Lowell
FenwayFanatics.com
Home to Boston Red Sox baseball fans everywhere…
congratulations to our 2007 World Series MVP -
we look forward to seeing you at third base for Boston next season!

Ramirez
An Anonymous Supporter
Ann’s favorite player… and it’s not always easy

Crisp
FenwayFanatics.com
Home to Boston Red Sox baseball fans everywhere…
a healthy 2007 should give Red Sox fans a better idea of
why he was brought to Boston.

Drew
LosAngelesDodgersOnline.com*
Los Angeles Dodgers information as well as Steve Sax bio,
Bobby Bragan. We have the most up to date news on the Los Angeles Dodgers,
Gagne Surgery , more Dodgers news.
* Web master might be in jail

Ortiz
Elisha Bunkley, David and Nathan Grunbeck
From Lake Attitash in Amesbury to the City by the Bay, We love our Papi!

Ellsbury
Sittingstill.net
Kelly’s Sox photos and silly captions too. Can’t wait to see Jacoby’s
long and exciting Boston career. And thanks for the free taco!

Casey
Midwest Glass Fabricators, Inc. (MWGF.com)
Your source for custom tempered flat glass and metal.
Laura’s favorite player of all-time. “Her other boyfriend”

Lowrie
Sittingstill.net
We’ve been waiting for you, Jed! So glad to see you in Boston!

Cash
ClassicCarSeats.com*
Purchase custom car seats, Spors Car seats and Recaro Seats.
Learn about the newest American Idol David Archuleta
David Archuleta tickets for all his shows.
* Classic cars and David Archuleta, two interests that go hand-in-hand…

Moss
Boston Red Sox Fan 6

Lester
MVN.com/mlb-redsox/
He beat cancer. He beat the Rox for the World Series. What’s next… Hall of Fame?

Dice-K
SonsofSamHorn.com
2006: World Baseball Classic Champ 2007: World Series Champ Keep em comin, DiceK!

Buchholz
Aceticket.com/boston-red-sox-tickets/
Ace is the source for Red Sox tickets and all MLB Tickets including
Mets Tickets and Yankees Tickets.

Wakefield
Evan Brunell, Fire Brand of the American League
I am proud to sponsor Tim Wakefield. Tim takes the ball when asked,
is a great leader, and honors the Boston Red Sox uniform everytime
he pulls it on. Member of the 2004 & 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox.

Beckett
NoMaas.org*
MLB VP of Playing the Game the Right Way.
* a sort of Yankee fan site, committed to Kevin Maas’s memory

Papelbon
Sittingstill.net
Kelly’s Sox photos and silly captions too. Hail to the closer!

Delcarmen
Fans of the 28 teams not named Red Sox (or Yanks)
Congratulations, Boston. You couldn’t win a title,
so you bought one - just like the Yanks.
Open the wallet for Curt, Keith, and Johnny - end 86 years of frustration.
175M reasons never to whine about NYY.

Okajima
mkp1151
Red Sox-World Series Champions 2004 and 2007 — Repeat in 2008!!

Aardsma
13th Owl and Section F*
* Must be a Rice University connection.

Lopez
PaperbackNovel.com
Talk about being overshadowed! Gets confused with Javy Lopez,
and now because of Gagne, is the fourth man out of the pen,
despite effective pitching. Come to NY Javier!
You can take Kyle Farnsworth’s locker!

Tavarez
UpontheMonster.com
A website and message board for Red Sox fans run by Red Sox fans.
Good luck to Julian and all the WS Champs in 2008!

Timlin
RedSoxChick.com
Congratulations on coming back to Boston for your 18th season in MLB!

Hansen
Sittingstill.net
Kelly’s Sox photos and silly captions too.
C’mon, Craig–make 2008 the year it all comes together for you!

So yeah, our nice overpaid backup, I mean starting shortstop Julio Lugo stinks like a college student’s shower towel. This is the same guy that’s taking playing time away from Jed Lowrie, the same guy that has 10 errors as of May 9 and the same chap that needs to be demoted to Pawtucket’s equipment room.

Does anyone reading this agree that the signings of outfielder J.D. Drew and Lugo were two of the worst free-agent acquisitions that you can remember on this team? I know we win, I know that the front office knows how to construct a team through the draft, but they have no clue how to sign guys. I mean, Matt Clement anyone? We still could have starting pitcher Derek Lowe for that money. Oh, just so you know, over his three full seasons with the Dodgers, Lowe has recorded a combined 3.70 ERA in 639 1/3 innings of work.

In the Detroit series, designated hitter David Ortiz was 7-for-18 (.389) with two long balls, four RBIs and two runs scored. When all is said and done this season, I think “Big Papi” will finish with a .305 batting average, 28 home runs, 115 RBIs and 105 runs scored. Yes, another solid season from the 32-year-old masher.

First baseman Kevin Youkilis was 6-for-17 (.353) with four home runs, seven RBIs and five runs scored against Detroit. Youkilis is clearly in his prime, and at the tender age of 29, appears to truly be a legit offensive force. Congratulations “Youk”!

Another bat that was hot was Mike Lowell’s. In the series, Lowell was 8-for-19 (.421) with two home runs, five RBIs and six runs scored. He appears to be fully recovered from his thumb injury.

On the mound, starting pitcher Tim Wakefield pitched an absolute gem for his fourth victory. In eight innings of work, he conceded two hits, allowed no runs, struck out six and didn’t walk a batter. His stuff was dancing and weaving like Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor on “Dancing with the Stars.” Let’s see if it can carry over into his next few starts.

Starting pitcher Josh Beckett turned in a brilliant six-hit, seven-inning outing while allowing one earned run. He also whiffed eight and walked none. He brought his record to 4-2 on the season with a 3.70 ERA.

The Sox have a nice little three-game weekend series with the Minnesota Twins starting tonight at 8:10 p.m. Viva la Lowrie!

Now I could have let the bad vibes from last night’s loss infiltrate my brain, leading me to write a column about Jed Lowrie, the Red Sox’ shortstop of the future, i.e., the starter in all games going forward (hope, hope). But that would have been knee-jerk and dispiriting. Instead, I chose to watch baseball bloopers, which serve to remind me that Julio Lugo isn’t the only fielder who bobs around like a wounded wildebeest. So, try to enjoy the following compilation. My favorite comes early, when the Royals’ first baseman buries the relay throw into the pitcher’s face. Even Lugo hasn’t done that.

Well, not yet anyway.

Ha-sterical.

Man, I can’t wait for Baseball Tonight’s re-creation of Babe Ruth’s called shot. It’ll probably have him pointing at a naked Linda Cohn, saying “I’d hit that!”

Or not.

The look in this picture is not the respectful nod of a man who’s just been bested in a fair fight. It’s the bitter face of a man who’s just been struck out for the seventh time in 17 career at-bats…by a former teammate he doesn’t seem to like. Unfortunately, Lugo drew a walk in his next (and last) at-bat against Kazmir, when a strikeout might have made him snap completely. Guess we’ll have to wait for the next Sox-Rays series, scheduled for June 3-5 at Fenway.