According to the Boston Herald’s Jeff Horrigan, Major League Baseball and local law enforcement are increasing security at Tropicana Field after a letter was received threatening at least two Boston Red Sox players.

All of the details are in the story, but here is one snippet:

According to sources, the Sox recently received a mailed threat, believed to be postmarked in Memphis, Tenn., which targeted black and Latin players, citing at least two by name. The named players have been informed about the threats and will likely have security accompaniment away from Tropicana Field, including at the team’s hotel in St. Petersburg.

Authorities seem to have intelligence on the matter, but reportedly do not have the suspect in custody.

As if this series needed more negative publicity after an ugly incident in Boston back on June 5, it gets more just prior to Monday’s opener. With both teams on edge from a brawl sparked when Coco Crisp charged the mound after being hit by a James Shields fastball, tensions were expected to be high in Tampa this week.

Now, they’re even higher as an attention-starved nobody tries to taint the matchup and make headlines for himself.

If there is a good thing that comes out of, hopefully, a hollow threat, it is the increased presence of MLB officials at Tropicana Field. Umpires will be even more vigilant, players will be more tentative to do anything silly, and the grudge will be settled on the field.

Let’s not forget that this three-game set pits the American League’s top two teams and comes at the halfway point in the season. The Rays have crossed the invisible line between “fluke” and “for real,” now it’s coming time to see what exactly they can do with the heightened pressure.

We may not know the answer to that one until September, but this series is a good start. Another sweep by Boston could end up propelling the Red Sox into first place in the AL East for good. A good showing by the Rays, and they will enter the season’s second half with confidence and the sense that they belong.