The regular MLB season nears its end, and the Boston Red Sox are pushing through injuries to secure their highest standing in the American League East and Wild Card races. They have a few difficult matchups in their way, though, including a three-game bout with the Toronto Blue Jays from September 23-25.
The Blue Jays have led the AL East for months, and they look down on the Red Sox and Yankees, both three games back of the top. Toronto's odds of holding onto the lead may have decreased as of September 9, when it placed Bo Bichette on the injured list with a a knee sprain.
Bichette's placement on the 10-day IL is retroactive to September 7. The previous day, he collided with Yankees catcher Austin Wells at home plate as he tried to score on a double by Nathan Lukes. As the shortstop attempted to slide into home, his bent knees knocked into Wells' shin guards. He was quick to stand up, but hopped most of the way back to the dugout on one foot.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Bichette will rest his leg this week before being reevaluated next week. There is no official timetable for his return, but it sounds like he could be on the IL past his designated 10-day stint.
Red Sox should take advantage of diminished Blue Jays offense due to Bo Bichette injury
Bo Bichette lands on the IL pic.twitter.com/WBPIuURwJJ
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) September 9, 2025
His absence will take the Jays' offense down a notch, which should level the playing field for the Red Sox and their depleted starting rotation. Bichette has been one of Toronto's hottest hitters, if not the hottest, since July. His July and August batting averages reached well into the .300s, and he's been even better since September began. Bichette is slashing .441/.500/.661 with two homers and nine RBI in his last 15 games.
Bichette's injury comes at an unfortunate time for Toronto and himself. The Blue Jays have just a three-game lead in the AL East, the Red Sox seem primed to sweep their series against the A's, and the Yankees have a very easy end to their season with matchups against the Twins, White Sox and two series against the Orioles remaining.
Bichette will be a free agent when the 2025 season ends, and he may have already played his way into a substantial contract. The 27-year-old posted a down season at the plate last year (.225/.277/.322 in 81 appearances), but he's rebounded and more. He would surely like to continue playing through his monthslong hot streak to raise his value, however.
Whether or not Bichette is in the Jays' lineup when the Red Sox arrive in Toronto at the end of the month, they'll need to play their best. The rest of the Yankees' season will be a cakewalk, and Boston must take advantage of its chance to gain three games on the Blue Jays, which could be made substantially easier without the electric Bichette in the lineup.