The Boston Red Sox are a half-game behind the New York Yankees for the top AL Wild Card spot and are just 3.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the top spot in the AL East. It's about as good of a spot they could've asked for after they traded Rafael Devers in mid-June.
Of course, the situation could certainly change before then, and former MLB general manager Jim Bowden pointed to one weakness that could derail the Red Sox's hopes for October.
"However, the back of the rotation could be a concern down the stretch. Walker Buehler has been moved to the bullpen after going 7-7 with a 5.40 ERA, it’s unclear if the Red Sox can rely on Dustin May or others in big games in September, and Richard Fitts (right arm neuritis) just landed on the IL."
Feels like the Red Sox got off easy in Jim Bowden's assessment of playoff teams
Honestly, it does feel like a little bit of a lazy take when it comes to the Red Sox's postseason chances. The Red Sox have three obvious postseason starters in Garrett Crochet, Brayan Bello, and Lucas Giolito. That would put them on solid footing when it comes to constructing a potential postseason rotation.
Richard Fitts was the Red Sox's answer to the struggles of Walker Buehler this season (and Buehler was just released, so it's clear they felt they coud figure it out), but that ended in Fitts landing on the IL. The good news is that the stage could be set for Kyle Harrison to make his long-awaited debut for the Red Sox. After being acquired by the Red Sox in the Rafael Devers' trade earlier this season, Harrison has been stashed away at Triple-A.
If Harrison can miss bats as frequently as he has throughout his rise to being Major League-ready, he could be a solution to the problem that exists at the back of the Red Sox's starting rotation.
The jury is still out on Dustin May's impact on the rotation. Initially, after the deadline deal with the Red Sox, it seemed that May was making an early case for the Red Sox to bring him back next season. That momentum shifted greatly after he allowed 11 earned runs in two starts against the Yankees and Pirates his last times out.
Again, though, with three clear postseason starters, the Red Sox aren't in a terrible spot when it comes to the back end of their rotation. With bullpen games becoming a factor in the playoffs, there would be creative ways for the Red Sox to get around their shortcomings in the rotation. And, at the very least, they have a clear offseason blueprint with how to address all of this. Not the end of the world.