The Red Sox are down to their last 12 games, and the margin for error is gone. Boston returns to action Tuesday night with a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays, then has just three series left after that before the 2026 regular season wraps up. The stretch ahead includes the Rays, the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago Cubs, and with the club sitting at 82-68 and five games back of the New York Yankees for the top Wild Card spot in the American League, the urgency is obvious.
That’s why every series from here matters, starting with the one against Texas. Boston hasn’t been knocked out of the race for the top Wild Card yet, but it’s going to need a serious winning run to keep its hopes alive.
The Red Sox have lined up their starters for the Rangers series, and the group brings a mix of urgency, frustration and reliability.
Patrick Sandoval gets the ball Tuesday night after a rough last outing. He gave up four runs in six innings on Sep. 8 against the Los Angeles Angels, and his recent form has slipped after a strong start in Boston.
Sandoval opened his Red Sox stint with a 3.30 ERA over his first six starts, but his season line now sits at a 4.58 ERA in 11 starts. Over his last five appearances, he’s posted a 6.12 ERA and gone 0-4.
The next night, Bennett will try to steady things after a tough turn against the Angels as well. On Sep. 9, the left-hander was tagged for six runs in 5 1/3 innings, with the home run ball doing the damage. Bennett allowed three homers in that game and has given up five long balls over his last two starts.
Then comes Gray, who has been Boston’s most dependable arm this season. The right-hander has carried the Red Sox rotation all year, going 17-5 with a 2.76 ERA in 27 starts. When Gray takes the mound, Boston knows it has a real chance.
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One of those breaks is built into the upcoming trip to Boston, where the Rangers will avoid two of the Red Soxs better pitchers. Still, there is no easy landing there because Sonny Gray is lined up for the series finale, and the larger test is whether Texas can take advantage of this opening before the calendar turns even tougher. [Read more 🡒]
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Burgers off-field profile has grown alongside his on-field role, and this nomination puts him in a group of players being judged on impact as much as production. The winner will be announced during the World Series, leaving Burger in the conversation for one of the sports most respected accolades and giving Texas another reminder that its reach can extend far past the scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
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For Rangers fans, it adds a bittersweet note to a career already defined by toughness, production and unmistakable personality. Beltre retired instead of pushing toward 500 home runs, choosing family and health over one more season, and the decision now sits alongside a Hall of Fame career that was formally recognized in 2024 when he was elected with 95.1% of the vote. [Read more 🡒]