Little bit of a distinct MMBB this time round, people. I may sit right here on a Sunday and let you know all about every thing that hasn’t gone proper for the Crimson Sox over the previous week (particularly over the weekend at Fenway)—too many runners left in scoring place, premature hits coughed up within the latter half of ball video games, vibes typically being within the shitter, and many others.
You already know all of that, although, since you’ve been watching alongside me. What is likely to be extra productive, although, is wanting forward.
As issues stand proper now, Boston holds a 3 (3) recreation cushion for one of many coveted Wild Card spots within the American League. They’re a recreation and a half again of the New York Yankees for the highest Wild Card slot, whereas they’re 5 and a half behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the American League East crown.
That hole between us and our foes north of the border, sadly, is likely to be a bit an excessive amount of to beat with just below two weeks remaining within the common season. I wish to be lifelike. Nevertheless, I’ll hold the sunshine on for our guys—something’s potential, particularly contemplating that we do have a trio of video games towards Toronto within the second-to-last sequence of the 12 months.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out the highway forward for our direct competitors for postseason qualification. With solely a handful of video games left and a good quantity of groups bundled collectively coming down the house stretch, what lies forward for the golf equipment remaining within the playoffs image? There’s a advantageous line between those that get a ticket to the dance and people who don’t; it is sensible to be ready for what lies forward. With that mentioned…
It’s Monday Morning Brushback time, y’all.
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 4 video games at Tampa Bay, 3 video games at Kansas Metropolis, 3 video games vs Boston, 3 video games vs Tampa Bay
The group presently setting the tempo within the AL East—which may very properly have its three finest groups earn playoff berths when the common season wraps up—is the Toronto Blue Jays, who appear to have a horseshoe up their ass as of late. That they had a pair of dramatic walk-off wins this week alone, part of their high quality type as of late; the Jays are 7-3 of their final 10 video games, and are 32-21 for the reason that All-Star break.
Once more: with simply two weeks left, their 4 recreation lead over that group from the Bronx and their 5 and a half recreation cushion on us has to really feel fairly good. I’m nonetheless not satisfied that they’re an absolute wagon—their run differential is definitely worse than the Sox and the Yanks—however the numbers don’t lie, and people numbers within the standings division bode fairly properly for the satisfaction of Canada.
Fortunately for the Blue Jays, the overwhelming majority of their remaining tilts are towards the Tampa Bay Rays: a group that has been fairly chilly as of late. Their document over the past 10 is a palindrome in comparison with Toronto (3-7) and so they’ve been significantly beneath .500 (23-29) for the reason that Midsummer Traditional, a disappointment for them since they had been enjoying some respectable ball earlier than that time (they stood at 52-47 after the primary two video games following the break). Something can occur in these video games within the pattern dimension of 1 sequence (and let that be my qualifier for all of those factors on this article going ahead), however the Rays’ story has been written. Possibly they will play spoiler within the AL East, however as issues stand I don’t see them making a lot of a ruckus. Their 2025 story has been written.
The story of the 2025 Kansas Metropolis Royals, whereas maybe shut to being over, isn’t fairly but written to its completion. If we’re holding out hope (nonetheless slim the chances are) for a Crimson Sox AL East title this 12 months, then we have now to take action for a KC playoff berth contemplating that they’re six video games again of the ultimate spot. Three video games at Kauffman with their backs towards the wall received’t be simple, although they’ve been enjoying milquetoast ball (learn as: about .500 ball) within the second half themselves. Possibly the Royals can do us a favor, I dunno.
Can I be sincere with you people? The Rogers Heart terrifies me. It’s our new home of horrors. I really feel like nothing goes proper there; we’re 16-18 in Toronto since 2021, for what that’s price (which is likely to be nothing, for the reason that names change). It could be nice if we may stroll proper in and alter that fortune, however I definitely wouldn’t wager on it. Extra on this sequence later.
Photograph by Adam Starvation/Getty Photos
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 3 video games at Minnesota, 4 video games at Baltimore, 3 video games vs Chicago (AL), 3 video games vs Baltimore
There’s a really actual likelihood that we see these guys once more in a number of weeks after wrapping up the season sequence this weekend at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark. The unhealthy information: that sequence went comparatively poorly. The excellent news: we nonetheless received the season sequence handily, which means that we maintain the tiebreaker over them.
However again to brass tacks right here: the Yankees’ upcoming schedule.
To be sincere, Baltimore’s our greatest wager at throwing a wrench of their plans. The O’s have been enjoying some strong ball just lately—they’re 8-4 for the reason that calendar turned to September–though it’s too little and (method) too late. 4 of these video games being at Camden could bode properly for us.
As for the opposite two groups: yeah, I’m not anticipating a lot. The Pale Hose have been enjoying advantageous as of late however they’re nonetheless on the backside of the Junior Circuit, whereas the Twinkies are 14-27 since they blew up their group on the commerce deadline. Yuck. The Yankees most likely really feel good about their playoff possibilities, even after their loss on Sunday.
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 3 video games at Kansas Metropolis, 3 video games at Houston, 3 video games vs Colorado, 3 video games vs Los Angeles (NL)
The Seattle Mariners, the most well liked group in baseball, are presently in pole place within the AL West because of 9 consecutive wins. Even then, we’re practically in lockstep with their document and their tiebreaker standing towards Boston remains to be up within the air.
I already made my factors about enjoying in Kauffman within the Blue Jays part, so pop again up there if you happen to’d like; identical stuff applies.
The sequence subsequent weekend in Houston is the most important sequence of the 12 months for each of those groups. May it find yourself being the de facto American League West Championship Sequence introduced by Doosan? Maybe; both method, count on these guys to beat up on one another. I can’t make heads or tails of that set in H-City. I assume the sting goes to the house group, however who is aware of for certain?
The video games within the Pacific Northwest towards the Rockies (the worst group within the league) and the Dodgers (the defending World Sequence champions) appear to be a little bit of a wash. I feel our hope is that LA doesn’t but have the NL West secured coming into the weekend, or possibly the Phillies fully shit the mattress beforehand and open the door for the Daaaaaaahdjurz to sneak right into a bye place within the NL. That might give LA one thing significant to play for, which wouldn’t harm the Crimson Sox in any respect.
Then once more: so will Seattle themselves.
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 3 video games vs Texas, 3 video games vs Seattle, 3 video games at Oakland (once more: I’m lifeless naming then), 3 video games at Los Angeles (AL)
Whereas they haven’t been setting the world on hearth as of late (they’re 19-22 post-deadline), the demise of the Houston Astros has been tremendously exaggerated. They’re firmly within the American League pennant race as soon as once more, and the battle between them and the Mariners shall be fascinating to observe subsequent weekend.
I already talked about the Seattle sequence within the earlier part, although I’d count on that Houston will deal with enterprise towards Oakland and the Halos. They’re a battle examined group, and even on the highway I’d anticipate that they’ll rid themselves of the underside feeders of their division.
As for that third sequence towards the Rangers………………properly, maintain on a second as a result of I wish to speak about them in a second.
Earlier than that time: I wish to pose a query to you, expensive reader. If the Crimson Sox fall to the third Wild Card slot, and in the event that they must go on the highway to face the champion of the AL West, who would you like to play? Hold forth within the feedback if you happen to dare.
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 3 video games at Houston, 3 video games vs Miami, 3 video games vs Minnesota, 3 video games at Cleveland
Astute readers will notice that I’ve but to say the Texas Rangers, one other group that’s been enjoying some rattling good baseball just lately. They’ve posted an 18-10 document over the previous month.
Let’s lay the playing cards out on the desk: whereas there have been some groups which were on Boston’s heels just lately, it’s factor that groups like Texas—alongside Houston and Cleveland and Seattle—are gonna have the chance to beat one another’s brains in. They’ll’t all make the playoffs, and so they’re dealing with one another immediately within the coming days. That bodes properly for the Crimson Sox! I assume that splits/2-1 sequence wins are probably the most preferable conditions in these cases, since that may imply that no group will get so extremely sizzling that they’re capable of leapfrog the Sox ought to match hit the shan.
Texas has an actual shot at a coup for the AL West, although. If they will punch the Astros proper within the mouth, they’ll have a main alternative to make up much more floor within the standings towards Miami and Minnesota, a pair of groups which might be properly beneath the .500 mark. Even with them touring to Cleveland, I’m certain they’ll be getting in with the mentality of a enterprise journey.
Sneaky pricks, these Rangers. Be looking out for them, particularly in the event that they wow us all in Houston.
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 3 video games at Detroit, 4 video games at Minnesota, 3 video games vs Detroit, 3 video games vs Texas
Cleveland’s deserving of constructing this text, although simply barely. Out of all the groups we’ll be speaking about/have talked about on this version of the Brushback, the Guards have the bottom odds of constructing the playoffs as of Sunday evening (11.3%), according to FanGraphs.
Cleveland’s on a roll, although! They’ve received 9 of their final 11 video games, giving them a puncher’s likelihood at making it to October. The wonder with them is that we’re gonna discover out fairly rapidly whether or not or not they’re somebody price maintaining a tally of within the Wild Card (or in the event that they’re VEEEEEEERY fortunate and we reside in a VEEEEEERY unusual timeline, dare I say division?) race. Three video games in Detroit will make or break their candidacy, I feel. If they will survive within the Motor Metropolis, they’ll have 4 video games towards the smelly Twins earlier than locking again in towards their direct opponents.
Their reward in the event that they’re capable of survive that lengthy, you ask? They’ve acquired these video games at house.
Once more, let me stress that this chaos amongst these within the AL Central and AL West is an effective factor for us within the AL East. Allow them to battle. Allow them to kick one another’s enamel in. We don’t need any of these groups to construct an excessive amount of momentum; for the reason that Sox have a number of video games already in hand, everybody else primarily standing pat when it’s all mentioned and completed is clearly helpful whereas we do our personal factor.
Talking of which………..
REMAINING SCHEDULE: 3 video games vs Oakland (don’t remark about me saying Oakland if you happen to’re gonna say I’m unsuitable as a result of I’m gonna ignore you), 3 video games at Tampa Bay, 3 video games at Toronto, 3 video games vs Detroit
You people hear about these guys? You already know about this? People? You see this, this group?
Effectively, I can’t delay this dialog any additional! The Crimson Sox, a group that has had sufficient ups and downs of their rollercoaster season to make a Six Flags engineer blush, are on observe to qualify for the playoffs for the primary time since 2021. Within the spirit of what has been a topsy-turvy 12 months, their remaining schedules is one which’s fairly attention-grabbing.
Let’s take it opponent by opponent.
OAKLAND: Need to win this sequence at Fenway, genuinely. I wrestle to say that any group has to brush an opponent since baseball is, properly, baseball. We took two of three final week towards the A’s out in California, although, so there’s no motive to count on something lower than that this time round. That’s a very honest commonplace to carry the boys to.
TAMPA BAY: Sneakily the sequence I’m probably the most intrigued about. On one hand, the Rays are out of the hunt so far as I’m involved. Alternatively, it’s nonetheless a highway sequence. On the opposite different hand, this can be a group that we’ve dominated in 2025; we’re 8-2 towards the Rays this season. On the opposite different different hand, previous success in baseball isn’t essentially indicative of future success, and we don’t have the identical group as we did after we swept them in July. On the opposite different different different hand, Tampa (like I discussed earlier) isn’t enjoying nice ball just lately. On the opposite different different different different hand, I’m getting a name from my physician asking me why I’ve so many appendages. Level is: I’m .
TORONTO: Simply take one recreation of this sequence, please. Don’t get swept. Shoot for the celebs, in fact, however simply don’t lose all three. That might be catastrophic. Tread water.
DETROIT: I’m begging the Motor Metropolis Kitties to lock up every thing that they must lock up by the point this sequence at Fenway comes alongside. Simply make it simpler for each groups, man. You get what you need, we get what we would like, and hopefully we see you within the ALCS and throw it again to 2013 from there.
On the finish of the day: if I needed to say whether or not or not we make it to the playoffs……I’d say yeah, we’ll. Warts and all, this can be a playoff group if you happen to ask me.
We simply may have to proceed this curler coaster experience within the meantime, that’s all.
Track of the Week: “Breezin’” by George Benson
The following few weeks of Crimson Sox baseball is likely to be disturbing. Why not calm down on this off-day with some clean sounds?
Similar time and identical place subsequent week, pals! Go Sox.
