Red Sox getting swept by D-backs might've officially ended their playoff hopes

The Boston Red Sox's second-half schedule has begun to push them further away from postseason contention.

The Red Sox have been burdened with MLB's hardest second-half slate, and the reigning National League champion Diamondbacks could have become the nail in the 2024 Red Sox's playoff coffin from Aug. 23-25. Boston was swept by the Astros at home two weeks ago and succumbed to the same fate against the Snakes.

The series was riddled with big moments from the Sox, including stellar defensive plays from Ceddanne Rafaela and a homer from Triston Casas, his first at home since his return from the rib cartilage injury he sustained in April.

But Arizona's torrid, streaking offense and standout pitching stymied Boston's struggling arms and powerful bats. The Red Sox were outscored 23-8 over their three-game series with the Diamondbacks, including a 12-2 loss in the series opener — another tough start for Brayan Bello's record.

The D-Backs have a .279 batting average with runners on base and a .262 batting average with runners in scoring position and two outs, the third and second-highest metrics in the league, respectively. Eugenio Suárez made the Red Sox pay with a grand slam in the series opener and a three-run blast in the series finale.

The Red Sox need a series win against the Blue Jays to keep their playoff hopes alive

Boston fanned 33 times in their three games against Arizona's pitching. Ryne Nelson, Zac Gallen and the recently returned Merrill Kelly made the Red Sox's hot second-half bats look foolish at Fenway Park. Rafael Devers crushed his 200th career homer on Aug. 25, and that was about it for Boston's offensive accomplishments in the series.

The Red Sox have been battling the Twins and Royals for a wild card spot for weeks, and they both lost the getaway games of their weekend series to give Boston a golden chance to gain a game in the standings. The Sox couldn't hold onto their early Sunday lead, though, and they blew a chance to gain some ground on crucial opponents in the race to the wild card.

The Sox's schedule lets up slightly — but not much — in the coming series. They'll play five straight games against the last-place Toronto Blue Jays beginning on Aug. 26. Even the Jays are hot in the second half, as they've won six of their last eight games and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been one of baseball's best hitters in the past month.

The Red Sox have the Tigers, Mets and White Sox following the Jays, and they'll need to win each of their upcoming series to stay relevant in the playoff race. The Mariners are just two games back of the Sox in the battle for the third wild card spot and the Rays aren't far behind at two and a half.

Being swept by the Diamondbacks didn't officially kill the Red Sox's playoff aspirations, but they're on the brink. A series win against the Blue Jays may be the only way to keep Boston's postseason dreams alive.

More Red Sox reads: