The Boston Red Sox have work to do entering the final week of the regular season in order to make the playoffs for the first time in four years.
The offense took a major hit when star rookie outfielder Roman Anthony went down with an oblique injury, often a four-to-six week recovery, on Sept. 2. The Red Sox needed life at the plate and the resurgence of All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman (5-11, a home run, and four walks last series) is the jolt Boston needed.
Boston enters the week in control of the second wild card position with a one-game lead, and the tiebreaker possession, over the Cleveland Guardians and the Houston Astros. Should Boston take care of business, the ballclub will enter the postseason with in advantage in starting pitching.
The Red Sox thrived on a foundation of their strong pitching trio of Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito. Crochet has been everything Boston could’ve asked for when he came over in an offseason blockbuster trade with the Chicago Cubs and signed a long-term extension early in the season. He pitched to a second consecutive All-Star selection and will likely be a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award.
Crochet is worthy of a Game 1 start come the postseason. With the Red Sox destined for their journey to start in the AL Wild Card series, a best-of-three format, having an ace to start the sprint is invaluable. Just ask Bregman, who played in this format in 2020 and 2024.
“It’s nice when you’ve got Garrett Crochet,” Bregman told NESN’s Tom Caron and The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier on the “310 To Left” podcast. “No doubt. It’s a quick series. Obviously, you play 162 (games), then you’ve got a short, best two-out-of-three (series) to move on. Sometimes, it’s good if you’re playing good baseball to continue to play those games and not sit down for a minute.”
The Red Sox have not played in the format that includes the wild card series. Their only other experience in the wild card round came in the old one-game format back in 2021 when Boston eliminated the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. If the Red Sox get in the dance and enter a new format, Bregman likes their chances with their ace on the hill.
“Whether it’s at home or on the road, let’s get after it,” Bregman added. “We know we’ve got the big guy going Game 1.”
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