But enough about magic numbers and playoff berths, and more about the Byrd man. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder finished six innings of work in Friday's win and allowed three runs on six hits, and wasn't flashy in walking a batter and fanning two others. He was average, in fact, but he produced exactly what he needed and has put together a 4-2 record along with a 4.50 ERA in seven starts since donning the Red Stockings.

"That's what he does," said manager Terry Francona. "If he gives us six (innings) and gives us a chance to win, sometimes that's good enough."

Add to that performance Tim Wakefield's struggle to maintain consistency since coming off the 15-day disabled list in August and Byrd's 3-0 record and 4.44 ERA in his last five postseason starts, and there's an argument to be made that Byrd's set-your-watch-to-it consistency could give him the inside track on a postseason roster.

That kind of decision will be made in the ensuing weeks when the days of October baseball arrive, but until then Byrd will continue to throw out his throwback windup and give the Sox exactly what they need.

RED SOX 4, JAYS 3: A Jason Varitek's fielder's choice to second base with the bases loaded proved to be the game-winner in the eighth inning, and Sean Casey added a huge two-run double in the fifth that nearly cleared the right field wall. Paul Byrd finished off six workmanlike innings to keep the Sox in the game, and Boston's bullpen worked three scoreless innings to set up the victory.