The Boston Red Sox are desperate to keep their season alive in the coming weeks, and big progress could be made on that front one way or another on Monday.
As the weekend draws to a close, the Red Sox have just lost a demoralizing series to the reigning National League champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Things could have been even worse for Boston had the Philadelphia Phillies not claimed a series victory over the red-hot Kansas City Royals.
As of Monday, the Royals led the Red Sox by 4 1/2 games for the final wild-card spot in the American League. While that’s a tough fight for Boston, the gap could be much bigger.
The start of the last week of August begins with a notable scheduling similarity, as both teams play a doubleheader on Monday. The Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park, while the Royals travel to Cleveland to face the Guardians, who are leading the American League Central.
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An eventful day was already ahead at Fenway Park, as history was made in the resumption game against Toronto on June 26. Now the Red Sox have a chance to make up significant ground within 24 hours or, realistically, be eliminated from the race altogether.
Here’s how tomorrow’s results would affect the Red Sox and Royals wildcard race:
Boston wins both and Kansas City loses both: Boston is 2 1/2 games behind
Boston wins both games and Kansas City shares: Boston is 3 1/2 games behind
Both teams tie, both win or both lose: Boston is 4 1/2 games behind
Boston loses both games and Kansas City splits: Boston is 5 1/2 games behind
Boston loses both and Kansas City wins both: Boston is 6 1/2 games behind
The Minnesota Twins could soon enter the equation as well, as they are tied with Kansas City in record time. These teams are just above the Red Sox and occupy the final playoff spots behind the top wildcard team, the Baltimore Orioles.
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The Red Sox need to find consistency in the final weeks and get some help from competition from Kansas City (and possibly Minnesota), and Monday could go a long way in helping them do that.
The Royals and Guardians play their games on Monday at 1:10 p.m. ET and 6:10 p.m. ET. The Red Sox resume play against the Blue Jays at 2:05 p.m. ET, followed by regular-scheduled play, including a broadcast of the Women’s Celebration Game, at 7:10 p.m. ET. You can watch those games on NESN.
