The Red Sox are off Thursday, but there won’t be much time to breathe. Boston heads to Yankee Stadium for a four-game set against the Yankees that could shape the race for the top two American League Wild Card spots, and it even includes a doubleheader on Saturday.
The standings make the stakes pretty clear. New York sits in the No.
1 Wild Card position at 75-57, while Boston is right behind at 73-60. That leaves the Red Sox 2 1/2 games back entering the series, with a chance to make a major move over the weekend.
There’s also the possibility that Boston gets some help from the injury front. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story could both return to the lineup during the four-game series, adding even more to watch in a matchup that already feels huge.
As September approaches, the playoff picture is starting to take shape, and Boston is in a strong spot. The Red Sox’ magic number to clinch a postseason berth is 21, the third-lowest in the American League. That number reflects the combination of Boston wins and losses by its closest competitor needed to lock up a spot.
With 29 games left, the Red Sox are positioned to clinch sometime in mid-September if they keep playing at their current pace. They hold a 5 1/2-game cushion over the Cleveland Guardians, who currently own the No. 3 Wild Card spot, and a 7 1/2-game lead over the Texas Rangers, who are just outside the field.
Only the Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays have lower magic numbers in the American League. New York is at 19, while Tampa Bay sits at 15. Boston has been the best team in baseball since the end of June, and this weekend’s series should say plenty about where the Red Sox stand - especially with American League Cy Young contender Cam Schlittler scheduled to pitch for the Yankees on Friday.
In Other News...
Red Sox Make Tough Bullpen Call As Garrett Whitlock Returns
Garrett Whitlock was back on the mound for the Red Sox during their doubleheader against the Yankees, and the move came with a familiar kind of roster squeeze. To make room, Boston optioned rookie right-hander Wyatt Olds back to Triple-A Worcester after a promising major league debut that had given the club a brief look at another arm it might be able to trust.
Raymond Burgos was brought up as the 27th man for the twin bill, giving the bullpen an extra body for the long day. Olds quick return to Worcester was a reminder of how little margin there is in a doubleheader, especially when a pitcher like Whitlock is ready to rejoin the mix and force the Red Sox to make a difficult call. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Try Drastic Lineup Jolt After Embarrassing Yankees Shutouts
After back-to-back shutout losses, the Red Sox are going with a noticeably different look for the opener of their doubleheader against the Yankees. Jahmai Jones is at the top of the order as the designated hitter, while Jarren Duran is out of the starting lineup, and Boston is trying to shake loose an offense that has gone flat at the wrong time.
Jake Bennett is scheduled to start on the mound, giving the Red Sox a chance to reset both sides of the game in one afternoon. Lineup changes can only do so much, but after consecutive blankings, Boston clearly felt it needed something different against a division rival that has already made the air feel heavier in this series. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Could Get A Needed Lineup Boost At Perfect Time
Roman Anthony and Trevor Story have both wrapped up their rehab assignments with Triple-A Worcester and are expected to join the Red Sox in New York, putting Boston in position to get two important bats back at a time when the lineup could use a lift. Either player could be activated during the upcoming series against the Yankees, and the timing lines up with a club that is looking for answers after back-to-back shutout losses.
The Red Sox have not made any official announcement yet, but the possibility of adding Anthony and Story to the mix gives the trip to New York a different feel. For a team trying to shake off a quiet stretch at the plate, getting healthier in the middle of a division series could be exactly the kind of boost it needs. [Read more 🡒]