Stock Up, Stock Down: Braves, Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox

Stock Down: Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox began a stretch of 10 games against the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Washington Nationals where they had a chance to make a dent in the Wild Card race behind the Blue Jays. They went 5-2 against the Royals and Tigers at home, but stumbled against the Nationals, dropping two of three against a team they needed to at least win two from or sweep.

After winning the first game against Washington, they turned to James Paxton and Chris Sale to win the series and while the starters delivered, the bullpen and defense did not. The bullpen allowed four eighth-inning runs in a 6-2 loss on Wednesday then, one day later, they allowed seven in a 10-7 loss. The Red Sox defense, which has been bad all season, did not help the cause with two key errors in a five-run fifth inning Thursday.

During their 10-game stretch, Boston needed to win at least seven games, but only went 6-4 and now head to the Bronx for a three-game weekend series with the Yankees. After that, they have four against the Houston Astros on the road before returning home for three with the Los Angeles Dodgers and three against the Astros. The last two games against the Nationals feel like a big missed opportunity.

The Yankees and Red Sox are clearly in trouble, while the Braves are still setting the pace and improving their standing at the top, while the Cubs are turning into a legitimate playoff team. It was certainly an up-and-down week for the four teams.