The Boston Red Sox are heading straight back to Yankee Stadium as the 5-seed for the second straight year, kicking off a three-game Wild Card series starting Tuesday. It’s an eerie feeling for fans because, if you look at the numbers, things are almost a carbon copy of last year, even down to the opponent.
Déjà Vu in the Bronx, With Way Too Many Familiar Problems
Last season, the Red Sox finished third in the American League East with 89 wins. This season? They’ll land with either 87 or 88 wins, depending on that final game against the Chicago Cubs. Both years, they locked up the 5-seed. Both years, they’re facing the New York Yankees in a three-game series. Both years, that series starts on a Tuesday. It’s like groundhog day in Boston, and not the fun kind.
What’s even wilder is how similarly banged up they are going into the postseason. A year ago, they limped into the playoffs without Roman Anthony, and Wilyer Abreu was just coming back from a calf injury, not even close to full strength. Fast forward to this season and the critical Wild Card series, and it’s Willson Contreras, arguably the team’s MVP, whose status is totally unknown because of hand pain. His potential replacement, Mickey Gasper, is completely out with “a pretty significant biceps injury.” And don’t forget Garrett Crochet, who was the Game One starter last year. He’s trying to return in a relief role this year, but he’s not at full strength either. It just feels like the deck is stacked against them from the jump.
Is This Really ‘Success’? Management Says YES!
For real, how many times do we have to see this movie? The Red Sox haven’t won a playoff series in five years, and for this writer, going out in the Bronx again would absolutely NOT be a successful season. You gotta have higher expectations than that! But here’s the kicker: Red Sox management apparently sees things differently. This 2026 result, those 87 or 88 wins and another 5-seed exit in the Bronx, was enough for them to pick up Craig Breslow’s options through 2029 and 2030. On top of that, they just signed Chad Tracy to a three-year contract after this season wraps.
It’s a head-scratcher, right? The team’s limping, key players are hurt, and they’re staring down the barrel of another early exit in a familiar setting, but the front office is handing out extensions and new deals like candy. What exactly are they celebrating?
The Red Sox face the Yankees starting Tuesday, and it’s all on the line. Can this banged-up squad defy the odds and finally break that five-year playoff series drought? Management has made their statement, now it’s up to the players to make theirs.
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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