After three long years on the back burner, the postseason is finally back in the Boston Red Sox's view — an unexpected series win against the Toronto Blue Jays, who've been in first place for much of the season, could push Boston into the playoffs.
The Red Sox have found their way in the final week as other teams around them in the postseason race have collapsed. The Houston Astros, who sit one game out of Wild Card contention on September 24, have fallen into a catastrophic five-game losing streak at an inopportune time, but their implosion has served the Sox well.
The Red Sox's magic number has dropped to one after beating Toronto, 7-1, on September 24. If Boston can manage a sweep on Thursday night or if the Astros are swept by the A's, the Red Sox will clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2021.
The Sox's sudden dominance had Toronto frazzled, and it showed when José Berríos entered the game in the eighth inning. Romy Gonzalez led off the inning with a single and made it to second base after Ceddanne Rafaela walked. From second base, Gonzalez had a clear view of Berríos' pitches, and tried to tip Nathanel Lowe off at the plate.
Berríos called Gonzalez out for his (perfectly legal) actions, and even issued some comments to Rafaela at first base. But his tipping may have gotten to him in the end, as Carlos Narváez crushed a three-run homer two batters later to give the Sox a 7-1 lead.
Red Sox's magic number is down to one, can clinch playoff berth on September 25 with win against Blue Jays or Astros loss
José Berríos appeared to be upset with Romy Gonzalez for something related to signs/pitch location.
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 25, 2025
The Red Sox first and third base coaches also weren't in their coaching boxes, according to the broadcast.
(Via: @Sportsnet)pic.twitter.com/iKIesSo3oq
Garrett Crochet has plenty of run support as he took the mound on four days' rest and stunned the Blue Jays with eight scoreless innings. He allowed just three baserunners all game and fanned six Jays en route to a dominant win for a Boston team in the hunt.
Craig Breslow's trade for Garrett Crochet was arguably the defining move of the 2024-25 offseason. The former White Sox ace likely knew he would be traded over the winter since Chicago limited him to 146 innings to preserve his arm and value, but going from the worst team in baseball history to a likely Wild Card berth in one season is a huge swing for the lefty.
“Feels good,” Crochet said after his dominant outing. “Not at all satisfied though. We’ve still got a lot of games that we intend on playing, and I don't intend on that being my last one.”
A less likely hero has also appeared during Boston's series win over Toronto. Masataka Yoshida has been electric at the plate in September, but especially since his arrival at Rogers Centre. He's logged four hits, including a homer, three runs and two RBI in the first two games against the Jays. Yoshida has owned the division rivals since his arrival in MLB in 2023 — he's batting .361/.374/.577 with a .951 OPS against the Blue Jays in 25 appearances.
Brayan Bello will start for the Red Sox on September 25 after an extra day of rest in an effort to push the Red Sox into the playoffs. The righty has faltered slightly as the season has gone on, allowing more walks and contact. Still, he's been reliable for much of the season, and Boston can still snag a postseason berth if the Astros continue their downward spiral.