The Red Sox are another step closer.
Boston opened its three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays with a 4-1 victory at Rogers Centre on Tuesday night. The Red Sox currently hold a one-game lead for the second American League Wild Card spot, and are another win closer to their postseason goal.
Alex Cora and company received help elsewhere, too.
The Cleveland Guardians earned a 5-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers in their series opener at Progressive Field. Cleveland now sits atop the American League Central after having won 11 of its last 12 games.
Detroit, meanwhile, is a half game up on the Houston Astros for the third AL Wild Card spot.
Boston should benefit from Detroit’s slide of seven straight losses. The Red Sox host the Tigers in a three-game series this weekend and thus have the opportunity to gain further ground in the standings.
The Red Sox remain four games back of the New York Yankees, who earned a 3-2 victory against the Chicago White Sox and thus kept a stranglehold atop the AL Wild Card standings.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora managed Tuesday’s game like a postseason matchup.
With starting pitcher Lucas Giolito sitting at 98 pitches and allowing a two-out walk to Alejandro Kirk, Cora pulled the right-hander with two outs in the fifth inning. He went to the bullpen, and the group stepped up.
Justin Wilson, Garrett Whitlock, Justin Slaten and Aroldis Chapman combined for the final 4.1 innings and did not allow a single hit in relief.
The Red Sox will face the Blue Jays in the middle game of the three-game set on Wednesday night.
