ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The final month Tampa Bay pitcher Chris Archers season is an ongoing effort to avoid too many dubious records as the Rays host his personal nemesis, the white-hot Boston Red Sox, to open a three-game series Friday.Boston won its eighth in a row, completing a four-game sweep in Baltimore on Thursday, and leads Toronto by 5 1/2 games in the American League East.Archer (8-18, 4.05 ERA) already has a share of the Rays record for losses in a season -- Tanyon Sturtze also had 18 in 2002 -- and is tied for the major league lead with former teammate James Shields. He has two starts remaining, so hes in jeopardy of becoming baseballs first 20-game loser since Detroits Mike Maroth in 2003.Hell try to avoid all this while facing a team in which hes lost 10 straight decisions, leaving him 1-10 with a 5.56 ERA in 15 career starts against the Red Sox. Seven losses came at Tropicana Field, and this season, hes 0-4, 6.65 in four starts versus Boston.An odder distinction could come if hes able to lead the American League in losses and strikeouts, something that hasnt happened since Nolan Ryan did so in 1976.The Rays have been solid in finishing series -- 4-1 in the final game of their last five -- but are 3-9 in the rest of the games.Weve got them figured out on getaway days, manager Kevin Cash said after Thursdays 2-0 victory against the Yankees. We cant quite figure it out before that, but well take this one for sure.On Friday, the Red Sox turn to left-hander Drew Pomeranz, who is 2-5 with a 4.91 ERA in 12 starts since joining the Red Sox before the trade deadline from San Diego.Pomeranz has been sharper against the Rays -- hes 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA in four games (three starts), including a hard-luck 2-1 loss Aug. 25 in which he struck out a season-high 11 batters while holding the Rays to two runs on seven hits.Boston has significant momentum going into the final week and a half of the season, and the Rays can do little to spoil the position the Red Sox have put themselves in with their latest surge.I just think we put ourselves in a better position, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. told the Boston Herald before Thursdays 5-3 victory over Baltimore. I feel like everybodys playing relaxed. Everybodys mentally and emotionally invested. Everything just seems to be clicking right now.Stitched Mariners Jerseys . 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Wholesale Mariners Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team.Queensland penpix ahead of Wednesdays third State of Origin rugby league match against NSW at ANZ Stadium.Fullback - Darius BoydAge: 28 Origins: 25Has revelled in the switch to fullback for Queensland this year. Rock solid as last line of defence, constant threat in attack.Winger - Corey OatesAge: 21 Origins: 2Will be monitored after being concussed in last NRL match for Brisbane. Former backrower came of age as Origin winger when he scored his maiden Maroons try - the game two matchwinner.Centre - Greg InglisAge: 29 Origins: 29Origins leading try-scorer may be out of sorts but he did enough to see off Dylan Walker. Now for his next trick - stopping the returning Josh Dugan.Centre - Justin ONeillAge: 25 Origins: 2May not be flashy but the Cowboys defensive centre gets the job done. Already looks at home in Maroon despite quiet second game.Winger - Dane GagaiAge: 25 Origins: 3Became only fourth Queenslander to notch an Origin hat-trick in series-sealing game two win. Game breaker - if he can get past Tyson Frizell again.Five-eighth - Johnathan ThurstonAge: 33 Origins: 35Immortal-in-waiting warmed up for Origin III with his years best display, all but ending South Sydneys NRL finals hopes. Now he wants to break NSW hearts.Halfback - Cooper CronkAge: 32 Origins: 18The glue that keeps the team together. Organised and armed with a sublime kicking game. Also no stranger to pulling off a medical miracle.Prop - Matt ScottAge: 30 Origins: 21The leader of the Queensland pack faces arguably his greatest Origin assignment to date - blunting the NSW forwards aiming to send out retiring NSW skipper Paul Gallen a winner.Hooker - Cameron Smith (captain)Age: 333 Origins: 38Outright Origin games record holder is determined not to let a rare series clean sweep slip through Queenslands grasp.ddddddddddddProp - Josh McGuireAge: 26 Origins: 4The former Samoan hooker has come of age as Queensland prop this year. Expected to keep his front row starting spot even if veteran Nate Myles (knee) proves his fitness.Second row - Matt GillettAge: 27 Origins: 14Hard-hitting backrower with impressive line speed and ball skills. Dubbed the best forward in the world by Gorden Tallis. Enough said.Second row - Sam ThaidayAge: 31 Origins: 27The joker in the Maroons pack. Will need to get serious in Origin III after just 51 metres in game two. Back from two-match ban for dangerous throw on Paul Gallen in Origin II.Lock - Corey ParkerAge: 34 Origins: 18Last Origin for retiring veteran backrower. Queensland were already motivated enough to clinch a fifth series whitewash - but this was the clincher.Interchange:Aidan GuerraAge: 28 Origins: 8Starting spot up for grabs next year following Parkers retirement. Time for out-of-sorts Guerra to put his hand up.Jacob LillymanAge: 32 Origins: 12Hulking Warriors forward made the most of his game two call-up, making 93 metres off the bench.Nate MylesAge: 31 Origins: 30Must pass fitness test on knee. Reckons its not his last Origin. Final chance to line up against old foe Paul Gallen.Gavin CooperAge: 30 Origins: DebutLanky backrower thought his Origin ship had sailed. But in his 11th NRL season and after 225 games, Cooper finally earns his Queensland debut. ' ' '