The Red Sox have had a discouraging run of late, dropping back-to-back series and six of their last games. Boston still has a solid hold on the second American League Wild Card entering a four-game set against the Baltimore Orioles, who have managed to hang around in the postseason conversation.
Losing three of four to the Yankees seemed to all but book a trip back to New York for the Wild Card series in a rematch of last year’s three-game set between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in the AL. That still
feels like the most likely outcome again, but if the Red Sox continue to falter while veterans get a breather and the pitching staff tires, could Boston get passed by, for example, the Cleveland Guardians (4.5 GB) and find itself as the No. 6 seed?
To be honest, it actually may not be the worst thing to happen.
If the Red Sox stay set as the No. 5 seed, they’d battle the Yankees in another war of a Wild Card series. Should they advance, they’d meet another demon in the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS. Boston did conquer that path en route to an ALCS appearance in 2021, though this clash with one or both of those division rivals would be draining again in 2026.
Consider the alternative if the Red Sox hold on for a playoff berth (which would be their first consecutive berths since 2016-2018, by the way) as the No. 6 seed, the path is undoubtedly less daunting based on competition. Boston would get the winner of the American League West. Entering Thursday, that would be the Houston Astros, who sit just two games above .500 at 71-69. Take the bat out of Yordan Alvarez’s hands when possible and Boston should take care of business in that series.
From there, the Red Sox would face the AL Central champion Chicago White Sox. Chicago is a young team that performed above expectations this year with some familiar friends who would be extra motivated to eliminate Boston, the franchise that flipped multiple prospects in the Garrett Crochet trade two winters ago. In this ALDS hypothetical, the Red Sox are the better team again and should take care of business again.
The Red Sox shouldn’t be looking to back into the playoffs simply for seeding’s sake. To be honest, that’s a bit of a loser mentality. With that said, that’s clearly not what they’re doing at the moment, at least during the Seattle series. Giving Willson Contreras a breather on the IL and pushing back Sonny Gray’s start was the right call. Those guys need to be fresh for a playoff run and the decent cushion is great to take advantage of.
There’s something to say about real reinforcements for the Red Sox as well. Roman Anthony and Trevor Story are in rhythm at the plate since they reform while Garrett Crochet and Tanner Houck are nearing closer and should factor into the playoff bullpen.
Not to say September is irrelevant, because there’s still games to be won to clinch a spot, but a trip back to The Bronx still feels relevant. If things go slightly wrong, have no fear for the path ahead for the Red Sox.
