The Red Sox have already punched their ticket to October, but the final stretch of the regular season still matters plenty - especially with the AL bracket still taking shape.
Boston’s last two series start Tuesday against the Guardians, then shift to Fenway Park for a three-game set with the Cubs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Those games could end up carrying real weight for both leagues’ playoff positioning, even though the Red Sox have secured a postseason bid and Chicago is close to doing the same.
The problem is the weather may not cooperate.
A viral social media post on Sunday night pointed to a potentially major storm building for the New England area next weekend, and that could put Boston’s series with Chicago in jeopardy. NBC 10 Boston reported that by Friday and Saturday, a storm “will start to churn off the mid-Atlantic coast. As it deepens and gathers strength, it will also back northwest towards New England,” with models calling for “strong wind, heavy rain, and possible coastal flooding.”
“I can't stress enough how messy the Cubs and Red Sox situation is about to get if anything close to a storm like this comes to fruition next weekend (a high likelihood given the blocking pattern in eastern Canada).”
Because the series could still affect seeding, MLB would be unlikely to scrap the games entirely. If weather forces a disruption, the league could lean on a doubleheader, similar to the Mets-Braves series in 2024. Another possibility is pushing the games to next Monday, which would leave both clubs with less rest heading into the postseason.
“Plenty of time for the forecast to change, but the Red Sox are looking at potentially needing to make up one or two Cubs games next Monday, the day before the playoffs start.”
In Other News...
Payton Tolle Just Gave Red Sox Fans Another Reason To Love Him
Payton Tolle had more than the usual rookie celebration in his pocket when the Red Sox wrapped up their postseason spot. The left-hander spent part of the clinch festivities speaking with reporters, and he came off as a pitcher who not only knows how far he has come since 2025, but also understands why Bostons run matters so much right now. His 2026 season has turned into a strong one, with a 9-6 record, a 3.02 ERA and 166 strikeouts across 25 starts.
For a club already looking ahead to October, Tolles growth has become another reason the fan base has taken to him so quickly. He did not sound like someone content to simply enjoy the moment, either, as he expressed optimism about the Red Soxs playoff chances and the kind of baseball this group can still play. For a team built around believing the next step is still possible, that kind of confidence from a young arm only adds to the intrigue. [Read more 🡒]
Red Sox Could Soon Face A Tough Garrett Whitlock Decision
Garrett Whitlocks future keeps circling back to the same question for the Red Sox: is he more valuable as a high-leverage reliever, or could he bring even more to the club if he moves into the starting rotation? Whitlock has the kind of pitch mix that can make the idea tempting, and Boston has long appreciated the versatility he brings to the staff. With his contract situation giving the team options for 2027 and 2028, this is the sort of decision that could shape not just his role, but part of the clubs long-term pitching plan.
The appeal is obvious, but so are the concerns. A move to the rotation would ask more of Whitlock physically, and health has to be part of the conversation whenever Boston weighs changing a pitchers usage pattern. For now, the Red Sox can keep exploring the possibility without rushing into anything, but the fact that the discussion is even on the table suggests this could become one of those strategic calls that defines how the roster is built in the seasons ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Franklin Arias Just Raised The Stakes For Boston's Infield Future
Franklin Arias spent the 2026 season doing more than just moving up the ladder, he started changing the conversation about what kind of infield bat Boston might have on its hands. Across Double-A and Triple-A, Arias showed real progress in his power and in the way he handled at-bats, with his home run total ticking up as he refined his approach against better pitching. For a Red Sox system always looking for impact up the middle, that kind of growth matters.
Brian Abraham recently pointed to Arias as a player who could eventually settle into the 15-20 home run range, while also stressing that the next challenge is the continued adjustment to Triple-A arms. Boston's infield picture has gotten a little more interesting for other reasons too, with Yordanny Monegro back from injury late in the year and Henry Godbout finishing his first full pro season with encouraging power despite some missed time. But Arias is the name that seems to be raising the stakes most quickly. [Read more 🡒]