Boston, MA (My Sportsbook) - A series that means next to nothing gets going this evening in Boston, as the Red Sox take on the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the final set of the year.

Boston was eliminated from playoff contention a few days ago, making this a meaningless series. The Red Sox have dropped two in a row on the heels of a five-game winning streak.

On Thursday, the Red Sox dropped a 3-2 decision to the Chicago White Sox. Benny Agbayani went 2-for-3 with a two-run single for the Red Sox in the losing effort.

Joshua Hancock (0-1) suffered his first-career loss in his first-ever major league start. He allowed three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, while walking two and striking out six.

Tampa Bay is fighting with Detroit to avoid having the worst record in the American League. The Devil Rays currently own the worst record (54-104), but they are just a 1/2 game behind the Tigers.

The D-Rays had their game with New York on Thursday rained out and will only have to play it on Monday, if the best record in the AL is still up for grabs.

Boston will send veteran righthander John Burkett to the hill this evening. Burkett has won two of his last three starts, including a victory over Baltimore last week. The twirler held the Orioles to just two hits over eight innings, while fanning seven and walking three.

Burkett has been outstanding against the Devil Rays this year, tallying a 2-0 mark with a 1.35 ERA. For his career, Burkett is 3-3 with a 6.10 ERA versus Tampa Bay.

Burkett has been solid at home this year, tallying a 4-3 record with a 3.18 ERA in 12 contests.

Tampa Bay will reply by handing the ball to Paul Wilson this evening. Wilson has dropped three straight and four of his last five decisions. Last time on the mound, the righthander was drilled for 10 hits and eight runs over just 3 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out just one in the losing effort.

Wilson has struggled against the Red Sox this year, going 0-3 with a 5.61 ERA. For his career, Wilson has posted just a 2-5 record with a 5.30 ERA versus Boston.

Wilson has been decent on the road this year, registering a 3-4 record with a 4.66 ERA in 14 contests.

Boston has had complete control of this series in 2002, winning 14-of-16 meetings, including four of six at Fenway Park. The Red Sox are 28-7 against the Devil Rays since the start of the 2001 campaign.