Red Sox Face Playoff Pressure as September Struggles Mount
BOSTON - Following a disappointing loss to the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, the boston Red Sox are in a critical stretch where every remaining game carries the intensity of a playoff contest. Despite holding a magic number of eight with nine games left to play, recent performance has cast doubt on an easy path to October.
The Red Sox’s playoff hopes are within reach – any combination of Boston wins and Cleveland Guardians losses totaling eight will secure a postseason berth. Though, Boston has lost four of its last six series, making a straightforward path to clinching unlikely. Manager Alex Cora drew parallels to the 2021 season, urging a day-by-day approach. “For me, I take it the same way I took it in ’21,” he said. “Take it one day at a time. Don’t get too high, don’t get too low. It’s part of the season. It’s 162 for a reason.”
The 2021 team, which ultimately secured a playoff spot with a dramatic late-season surge culminating in a sweep of Washington and a walk-off home run by Rafael Devers in the ninth inning on sunday to clinch, differed significantly in composition. That roster featured established veterans like J.D. Martinez,Xander Bogaerts,Chris Sale,Nate Eovaldi – all 2018 World Series champions – and Kyle Schwarber. This year’s team relies on players like Alex Bregman and Aroldis chapman,who have World Series experience with other organizations,and Trevor Story,with five games of postseason play during his time with the Colorado Rockies.
Boston could clinch with two series wins and two Guardians losses in their remaining games. However, winning three consecutive three-game series to close out the season is considered a challenging prospect. The team’s current September struggles have heightened the stakes, turning each game into a must-win scenario as they fight for a playoff spot.
