MLB Playoffs: Examining the three team AL Wild Card race

Sep 9, 2021; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) scores against New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24 in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Red Sox

Boston is pretty much the complete opposite end of the spectrum. They started hot: 54-32 over their first 86 games. But since the All Star break Boston is just 20-23, including 12-18 over their last 30 games.

They’re going to need to be much closer to the early season Red Sox over the next two and a half weeks.

Much like the Jays, Boston has a pretty team friendly path remaining. They play six against the Orioles and three against the Nationals. Boston is clearly superior to both of those teams, so a 7-2 record over those nine is possible. Add in two games against the slumping Mets and the Sox are in business.

And again, like the Jays, the key is a three game weekend series against the Yankees at the end of the month that just happens to take place at Fenway.

Next. Breaking down the schedule for the AL Wild Card contenders. dark

Boston needs the pitching to stay hot during the final stretch. Boston is third in the major in ERA at 2.18 over the last week. Unfortunately, the Sox offense hasn’t been much help, hitting just .218 over that same seven day period. That’s resulted in a 3-3 record that won’t do much good in such an intense race. That’s a change from most of the season, where the Sox are third in the majors in average.

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