Can you believe this? The magic number for the Red Sox to officially clinch a postseason spot has been stubbornly stuck at five for days, and man, that’s gotta be driving the faithful absolutely bonkers. What a grind! Tonight, though, there’s a real shot to knock that number down to three, which would be huge. All it takes is a Red Sox win and a Rangers loss, simple as that. And who’s on the bump trying to get it done? None other than Sonny Gray, in his second to last start before the postseason kicks off. Talk about high stakes!
You just know everyone’s hoping Gray can truly lock it in for an excellent outing. This isn’t just another game; it’s a chance to build serious momentum heading into October. Sure, he took a loss against the Royals his last time out, but let’s be real, his season has been nothing short of phenomenal. He’s boasting a ridiculous 17-5 personal record, that’s a full 12 games over .500. And get this: that’s the *exact* same margin the team itself is over .500, currently sitting at 82-70. Coincidence? Maybe. But it absolutely shows you just how much his performance has fueled their success this season. When Gray is on, this team is a different beast.
As for the lineup, the Red Sox are making some strategic moves. Nick Sogard is back at second base tonight, taking over from Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who got the start there last night. And because the Texas Rangers are throwing lefty Cody Bradford, Jahmai Jones is stepping in at designated hitter instead of Mickey Gasper. You gotta love a manager making those smart platoon adjustments! They’re clearly trying to get every advantage at the plate. Don’t be surprised if we see a pinch-hit call later in the game to switch up the platoon again, just like they usually do. It’s all about finding that perfect matchup.
This game kicks off at 8:05pm from Arlington, Texas, and it’s a huge one. With Sonny Gray on the mound for his penultimate start and a chance to finally chip away at that stubborn magic number, you know the Red Sox are going to come out firing. Every single pitch matters tonight, because getting that number down to three would be a massive boost of confidence heading into the final stretch of the season. Let’s go!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Over the Monster.
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