If you are a long-time Red Sox fan (as I proudly am), your team’s current standing should come as no surprise. After a dismal April, the Red Sox managed to cling to first place through the end of August despite an ailing pitching staff, relying instead on an outstanding offense — the second-best in the American League (AL) — and the late-inning duo of Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon.

In September, however, the Red Sox have slumped to a 5-15 record, having fallen to six games behind the division-leading Yankees.

The baseball team had another successful series last weekend, sweeping three games from Hamilton in a relatively lopsided fashion.