Red Sox road trip disaster sinks postseason hopes

The Boston Red Sox embarked on a crucial road trip to Detroit and New York, hoping to improve their season record of 69-65. However, after a promising start with a win against the Tigers, the team suffered five consecutive losses, culminating in an 8-3 defeat against the Mets. This disappointing performance highlighted ongoing struggles, particularly with the batting lineup and bullpen, as they failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, going just 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position in the final game. The team's recent form has been alarming, with 11 losses in their last 14 games, including a make-up game against the Blue Jays. This poor stretch has left the Red Sox at a .500 record of 70-70, significantly impacting their postseason aspirations. They now find themselves 5.5 games behind the Royals and Twins for the final AL Wild Card spot, with the Tigers and Mariners also in contention at the same record. Manager Alex Cora expressed frustration with the team's performance, emphasizing that playing .500 baseball is insufficient for their playoff hopes. The Red Sox's chances of making the postseason have dwindled to just 8.1 percent, according to FanGraphs, as they face a critical stretch of games ahead. With six consecutive home games on the horizon, including three against the struggling White Sox and three against the first-place Orioles, the Red Sox must win at least five of these games to have any realistic chance of climbing back into the playoff race. The upcoming series will be pivotal in determining the team's fate this season.