Red Sox danger of finishing last place in AL East will renew Boston's offseason fears

Barring any miracles, the Boston Red Sox will likely miss the postseason for the third year in a row. They're four games back of the third Wild Card spot with 10 games and three tough series remaining.

For most of the season, Boston has been an utterly average team. Its frequently-.500 record has kept it out of the basement of the American League East, but that may not last.

The Sox's three final series of the year are against AL rivals — the Minnesota Twins, who still hold the third Wild Card spot after a severe slump, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tampa Bay Rays. Toronto and Tampa have been behind Boston in the standings for most of the 2024 slate, but the Sox's recent offense, or lack thereof, is cause for concern.

The Red Sox haven't made much of an impact offensively since their 7-1 victory over the Yankees on Sept. 14. They've scored seven runs and struck out 31 times in their last three games. A series win is on the line for the Sox on Sept. 19. If they beat the Rays, they take a two-game advantage over them in the standings. If they don't, they dip back under .500 before three critical games with the Twins, who are fighting for their playoff lives. The Tigers are behind their division rival by half a game, itching to take the third Wild Card spot, so Minnesota may bring its best baseball against the Sox.

Red Sox at risk for another last-place finish as offense continues to struggle

After Boston's final series against the AL Central, it heads to Toronto to take on the Jays for the last time, who have spent most of the campaign in last place. The Red Sox and Blue Jays have split the season series so far, and their final three games will determine the winners. Boston will have to battle Toronto's tough pitching, including starter Bowden Francis, who's pitched two eight-plus inning no-hitters this year and held the Sox to one hit on Aug. 29.

Then, the Red Sox will finish the season with three more games against the Rays at Fenway Park. Seven games remain against the two teams closest to Boston in the AL East standings, and if it doesn't get its bats in order, it's in serious danger of finishing in last place for the third straight season.

A third-straight last-place finish could be the last straw for many Sox fans, but it would also mean a tremendous fall from grace for Alex Cora's squad. Boston was 11 games above .500 at the All-Star break and it seemed poised to be in a Wild Card spot when it mattered.

Absent offense and a catastrophic bullpen collapse cost the Red Sox the postseason berth they desperately wanted, and they could lose their standing in the middle of the AL East if they don't reverse at least one of those issues in the campaign's final weeks.

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