Upcoming Red Sox schedule could make or break Wild Card hopes

The Red Sox upcoming schedule could decide their Wild Card fate

When the Boston Red Sox kick off a three-game series on Monday night in Minnesota, it will be one of their last chances to gain ground in a Wild Card race they’ve fallen out of almost entirely.

Three of their next four series are against teams above them in the Wild Card standings: the Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and Baltimore Orioles. All three matchups will take place on the road, with a Labor Day Weekend series against the Texas Rangers as their only Fenway games until September 13.

As it stands on Monday, the Rays hold the top Wild Card, along with the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles are 1 1/2 games out, followed by the Twins (3), and Chicago White Sox (6). An avalanche of injuries coupled with severe underperforming pushed Boston from card-holders to seven games back. The Rangers are behind them at 10 1/2 games out.

Barring a miraculous turnaround, it’s going to be a rough September for the Sox. They’ve struggled against their division rivals all season, and even after taking two of three from the Rays over the weekend, they’re still 4-9 against them this year. They’re 5-7 against Baltimore. It’s anyone’s guess how they’ll do against the Twins; the season series is knotted up at 2 games apiece, though the Twins will be without Byron Buxton and several other injured players.

Hopefully, next year’s schedule (and a seriously overhauled roster), will be easier to navigate.