Just think about this: on June 25th, the Boston Red Sox were staring up at the Yankees, a full 15.5 games out in the AL East. Now, they’re tied with New York in the loss column with 51 apiece. Sure, the Sox are still a game behind because they’ve got two extra contests played, including tonight’s series finale against the White Sox at Fenway while the Yankees get a day off. But let’s be real, the Yankees aren’t even leading the division anymore. They completely cratered after the Red Sox swept them in a four game series at Fenway.
Boston’s Surge Hits a Tampa Bay Wall
Here’s the kicker: The Tampa Bay Rays did the exact opposite of the Yankees after getting swept themselves by the Red Sox back on July 19th. That sweep got Boston within six games of the division lead. But since then? The Rays have gone 12-4 in their last 16 games. And yeah, the Sox have been white-hot, going 12-3 over the same span. But guess what? They’ve only picked up a measly half a game on Tampa Bay. So much for closing that gap fast, huh?
But Can They Actually Win It? Logic Says Nope.
The big question on everyone’s mind is, can the Red Sox actually catch the Rays and snag this division title? Unfortunately, logic is screaming no right now. First off, they’re still missing Garrett Crochet, Roman Anthony, Curtis Mead, and Adley Rutschman. These guys could be huge for a postseason run, but with no timetables for their return, there’s just not enough regular season left for them to make a difference in this division chase. Then there’s the Rays’ schedule. It’s unbelievably soft! Tampa Bay doesn’t face a team with a record above .500 until August 28th. Expect that hot streak to keep on rolling. Plus, the Rays aren’t coming back to Fenway this year. The only chance Boston gets for a head to head matchup is a three game set at the terrible Trop starting September 18th. And with the season series tied 5-5, taking that series is a non-negotiable must, not just for ground, but for the tie-breaker too, since there’s no Game 163 anymore. Lastly, watch out for the pitching staff. Patrick Sandoval’s walk rate has him on very thin ice, and both Payton Tolle and Jake Bennett are set to blow past their career high innings counts. The engine that’s powered this crazy comeback might just be running on fumes soon.
So yeah, catching the Rays looks incredibly tough. But then again, has logic mattered with this team in the last six?
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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