Remember those dark days not long ago when they hit the panic button and canned manager Alex Cora, along with a bunch of other coaches? Usually, that kind of shake-up sinks a team, but Boston decided to prove everyone wrong. They’ve pulled a complete 180, delivering some seriously great baseball down the stretch, and it’s putting them right in the thick of the fight for an AL Wild Card spot. Right now, they’re holding steady at the No. 2 spot, but trust me, there are a ton of other teams in the AL with their eyes locked on those same postseason berths. The stakes are unbelievably high!
Boston’s Incredible Turnaround
What a turnaround for a squad that looked absolutely lost not long ago! Last week was a masterclass in how to stay hot. First up, they faced the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are absolutely no slouch on the field. Boston took two out of three in that tough series. Then, they really poured it on, absolutely sweeping the San Francisco Giants in a three-game series over the weekend! That’s the kind of winning streak that turns heads and skyrockets you up the rankings. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter saw it too, bumping them up a massive three spots, from No. 10 to No. 7 this week! That kind of performance doesn’t happen on its own, especially not after the start they had.
Miller Time In The Bullpen
And you want to know who’s been a massive part of this surge? Erik Miller, the deadline pickup. This guy has been lights-out! Since joining the Red Sox, Miller hasn’t given up a single earned run across 8.1 innings. Seriously, zero! He’s also punched out 14 batters while only walking 3. That 14-to-3 strikeout ratio? Filthy. He’s become the primary bridge to Aroldis Chapman, and that kind of lockdown relief pitching is what wins you games when it matters most. Joel Reuter isn’t simply speculating, either. He’s saying, “After the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees, the Red Sox have the best odds to make the postseason of any AL team by a wide margin, despite currently sitting in the No. 2 wild-card spot.” That’s a massive vote of confidence, but it means absolutely nothing if they can’t keep this momentum rolling.
Next up, it’s a three-game series against the Miami Marlins. But the real test, the one that everyone’s buzzing about, comes this weekend: a four-game showdown in the Bronx against their arch-rivals, the New York Yankees! This isn’t just another series, folks; it’s a chance to solidify their spot and prove they’re for real. Get ready, because the AL Wild Card picture is about to get even more intense!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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