With exactly one month left in the regular season, the Red Sox are firmly in the playoff picture but are far from guaranteed a spot in the postseason.
A COVID-19 outbreak has led to 11 members of the team, including eight players, missing time due to positive tests or as close contacts. Even so, Boston managed to salvage a split with the Tampa Bay Rays despite a shorthanded roster.
Every game is magnified now as the Sox try to preserve their position as the second wild card team or potentially leapfrog the Yankees. Catching the Rays, who are 6 1/2 games up on the Yankees and eight up on the 77-59 Red Sox, is highly unlikely, but ESPN currently gives the Red Sox an 81 percent chance of making the playoffs.