Today's off-day is the second last of the season. What transpires over the course of the next 23 games will decide the Boston Red Sox season. All 23 remaining games are with the AL East teams. Currenly Toronto, Baltimore and New York are all within 4 games of the division lead. This hasn't happened this late in the season in recent memory. Usually between 2000 and 2009 it was Yankees/Red Sox by themselves with maybe a third team thrown in like the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008. This is the first time that FOUR teams are within earshot of the lead. Let's break down the road ahead.
Games 1-3 in Toronto September 9-11:
If there was ever a time to silence Toronto, it would be here. Toronto is looking for back to back division titles with the offensive juggernaut they've assembled along with the surprising pitching of JA Happ and the emergence of Aaron Sanchez. Them, along with Marco Estrada anchor a rotation that has had them either in first or second for most of the year. The Sox will see all 3 of them in this series. The Sox will counter with Rick Porcello (19-3, 3.23 ERA) friday night against Estrada. The Sox will take their chances with Eduardo Rodriguez pitching Saturday against Happ mostly due to the fact Toronto feasts on lefties. The surprise will be in Game 3 Sunday afternoon as the Sox will skip Drew Pomeranz in favor of Clay Buchholz against Sanchez. The reason being Buchholz has been good historically in Skydome and the way he's been pitching lately gives an indication he can pitch well. The Jays high power offense will be the ultimate test for the Sox starters who've climbed to Number 5 in all of baseball in terms of production. Big assist to Brian Bannister for that to happen. If the Sox want to send a message for the rest of the month, they need to take 2 of 3. A sweep would be damn near impossible but 2 of 3 would ensure them of leaving Toronto with a 2 game lead in the division race.
Games 4-6 at home against Baltimore September 12-14:
Baltimore seems to be fading as the Yankees are rising. Still, the O's are led by ace Chris Tillman and a high power offense of their own. The O's have their work cut out of them the series prior against Detroit who's a game behind them in the second wild card chase. They'll want to take 2 of 3 from Detroit to gain ground on Toronto, Boston or both...but will they throw Tillman out against Detroit or against Boston? That remains to be seen. Its most likely going to be Price, Pomeranz and Rodriguez pitching that series barring injury. If the O's scuffle against Detroit, this could be the Sox chance to bury them right then and there.
Games 7-10 at home against New York September 15-18:
One month ago this series was looked to be a throw away, but with the way the Yankees keep on winning, this could be a make or break series for both teams. The Sox will be coming in after back to back division grinds with Toronto and Baltimore while the Yankees feast on the Tampa Bay Rays then take on the LA Dodgers. Since this is a 4 game series, both teams will throw everything they have with their seasons on the line. The Yankees don't appear to be intimidating but just keep on winning. Luck runs out eventually so the Sox may want to take 3 of 4 to wipe them out completely.
Games 11-14 in Baltimore September 19-22:
By then the pennant race will be tighter and every game will be more important than the last. The O's have the advantage in experience when it comes to pennant race games but never count out David Ortiz, especially in his last season. If the Sox are anywhere close to the division title or wild card, taking this series could put some distance or gain ground with the final 9 games afterwards.
Games 15-17 in Tampa Bay September 23-25:
Tampa may have a lousy record with a mediocre team but they will be salivating to play spoilers. This series won't be easy with that kind of motivation on the minds of the Tampa players so the Sox better not take the series off, especially in this tight of a race with a week left in the season. If they're behind, they have to sweep these guys to get back in it or if they're in front, sweeping these guys would inch them closer to the playoffs.
After the 17th game there will be an off-day September 26th. By that point the Sox could have fallen apart or they could be right in the middle of a race to the playoffs. The next 17 days will be a huge step to see what kind of balls this team has. Their starting pitching has been great since July, but they have to beat the three teams chasing them in order to secure their first division title and or post-season appearance since 2013. We'll know more by the 26th.
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