The Boston Red Sox have four series between them and the postseason, which they are all but certain to make. The Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees have already clinched their spots and the Red Sox shouldn't be far behind.
They don't have an easy final two weeks ahead, however. Boston will face either a playoff team or playoff hopefuls during the home stretch and they'll be just as hungry as the Sox are to clinch their spot, maintain their standing or improve it.
The final four series begin with the Texas Rangers, who have the American League's third Wild Card spot in their sights — they sit half a game behind the Toronto Blue Jays, the first team out, before their September 15 series opener against Boston. Texas should be playing some of its best baseball with a playoff berth on the line, but the Red Sox have a secret weapon on their side to try and take it off its game: Wilyer Abreu.
The outfielder's success against the Rangers verges on "ownership." Over 17 games against Texas in his career, Abreu is slashing .436/.484/1.018 with five doubles, nine home runs and 22 RBI.
Wilyer Abreu's success against Rangers could be a huge difference maker for Red Sox at the perfect time
His dominance over Texas began in August 2024, Abreu's rookie season, when he hit three homers in one series against it, including a two-homer game. He logged two more two-home run games against the Rangers in 2025 (Opening Day and May 7).
Abreu plays particularly well at Globe Life Field, the Rangers' home ballpark and where they'll face the Sox from September 15-17 for their season series finale. The 27-year-old boasts a shocking 2.035 OPS through eight appearances in Arlington, Texas, and the Red Sox would certainly love him to carry their offense enough to clinch a playoff berth this series.
Boston has some tough pitching matchups ahead, including a potential series-opening date with Jacob deGrom (3.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 186 strikeouts in 149.1 innings pitched) (subscription required). It's also scheduled to face former Washington Nationals starter MacKenzie Gore and possibly Nathan Eovaldi, though the schedule isn't yet confirmed. Eovaldi and Gore haven't been as successful this year as they have in the past, but Eovaldi presents a challenge every time he takes the mound.
Abreu's success against the Rangers hasn't yet reached Rafael Devers-Yankees-Gerrit Cole territory (and it might never feel as good since the Yankees are the Yankees), but he's inching closer with every series. Maybe the yearly two-home run game at Globe Life Field comes right on time to lift the Red Sox into postseason certainty.
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