Red Sox Get Major Standings Boost After Rays, Yankees Both Lose
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The Boston Red Sox could not have scripted Tuesday night much better.
Boston extended its winning streak to five games with a dramatic 7-3 victory over the Miami Marlins in 11 innings. Mickey Gasper hit two home runs before Jarren Duran broke the game open with a grand slam in the 11th. While the Red Sox took care of their own business, the two teams ahead of them in the American League East both lost.
The Detroit Tigers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1, while the Houston Astros rallied past the New York Yankees 9-7. Those results allowed Boston to gain ground in the division and strengthen its grip on a postseason position with only 30 games remaining.
Where Red Sox Stand In AL East Race
The Red Sox enter Wednesday with a 73-59 record, placing them third in the AL East. Tampa Bay remains atop the division at 78-54, but its lead over Boston has been cut to five games. The Rays have lost six of their last 10. New York sits between the two clubs at 74-57. The Yankees are 3 1/2 games behind Tampa Bay and only 1 1/2 games ahead of Boston.
The standings now look like this:
Tampa Bay Rays: 78-54
New York Yankees: 74-57, 3 1/2 games back
Boston Red Sox: 73-59, five games back
Boston also owns the best run differential in the division at plus-105. New York is at plus-98, while Tampa Bay is at plus-44. The Red Sox have won eight of their last 10 games, 14 of their last 20 and three consecutive series. That surge has kept the division within reach entering the final month.
MORE: Erik Miller Has Become A Reliable Weapon in Red Sox Bullpen: ‘He's Been a Godsend’
Red Sox Hold Comfortable Wild-Card Cushion
Boston currently owns the American League’s second wild-card position. The Yankees hold the first wild card, followed by the Red Sox and Cleveland Guardians. At the moment, Boston would host Cleveland in a best-of-three Wild Card Series at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox trail New York by 1 1/2 games for the top wild-card spot. More importantly, they are 6 1/2 games ahead of Cleveland for the final postseason berth. Boston’s playoff odds have climbed to 99%, according to ESPN’s standings model.
An opportunity to improve that position is coming quickly. After concluding their series in Miami on Wednesday, the Red Sox will play four games against the Yankees in New York beginning Friday, including a Saturday doubleheader.
Boston still has work to do, but the conversation has changed. The Red Sox are no longer simply trying to remain in the playoff field. With 30 games left, they have a legitimate chance to catch the Yankees and make the Rays uncomfortable.
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