Red Sox Playoff Hopes Dwindle in 12-Inning Loss to Twins
The Boston Red Sox found themselves in yet another frustrating situation Friday night, facing a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins in a marathon 12-inning game. This defeat dealt a severe blow to their already slim postseason chances, putting them five games behind the Twins for the final American League Wild Card spot with only eight games remaining in the season. Realistically, this loss may have shut the door on their playoff aspirations.
A sweep of the Twins this weekend was essential for the Red Sox to have any chance of sneaking into the playoffs, but the night turned into a bitter struggle. Despite a strong showing from rookie pitcher Richard Fitts, who tossed five shutout innings, the Sox offense couldn’t capitalize on the many opportunities they had. Boston went a woeful 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position, stranded 17 runners on base, and struck out a franchise-record-tying 20 times.
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The night also came with more bad news for Boston. Star third baseman Rafael Devers left the game in the 11th inning with shoulder discomfort. Manager Alex Cora revealed that Devers will likely be out for the remainder of the season, further compounding the team’s struggles.
The Red Sox had several chances to walk away with a victory. They could have won in the ninth inning but failed to bring in the winning run. Minnesota's three-run rally in the 12th was enough to seal the game, and while Boston managed to score a run in their half of the 12th, it was too little, too late.
Offensive woes have been the story of September for the Red Sox. Despite excellent performances from the starting pitching staff, who have posted a collective 2.56 ERA over the past 24 games, the lineup’s inability to generate runs has been the team’s downfall. Trevor Story, who struck out three times, echoed the frustration of his teammates, admitting it was “hard to believe” the level of offensive futility they’ve faced.
With just eight games left and several teams ahead of them in the standings, Boston’s playoff hopes have all but vanished. Even if they were to miraculously win out, it would require collapses from the Tigers, Mariners, and Twins—an unlikely scenario. The focus now shifts to trying to finish the season on a high note, perhaps avoiding a losing record or last place in the division. However, with Devers sidelined and their bats still cold, the Red Sox face a long offseason of reflection.
As manager Alex Cora put it, the team has to keep pushing forward, even though the results at this point have little bearing on postseason implications. For Red Sox fans, the painful truth is that the season, once full of hope, has now become a waiting game for 2025.
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