The Boston Red Sox have officially clinched the MLS postseason, and will begin preparations to play the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round for the second year in a row.
Willson Contreras has been out of the Boston Red Sox lineup since 17 September with a hand injury, and he is not progressing fast enough in the eyes of Boston fans.
“I’m doing everything that I can to come back and play with the boys and be there with the boys. But sometimes you have to listen to your body,” Contreras told the media.
He's apparently still struggling to grip a bat, which is not a good sign when the Red Sox are scheduled to face their historic rivals, the New York Yankees, in the AL Wild Card round which begins on Tuesday, 29 September.
Contreras was one of the most important players to the Red Sox midseason revival, batting .276 with 27 home runs.
If Contreras is not healthy for the Wild Card, manager Chad Tracy will have an easier decision on who to use as the DH, with Mickey Gasper making a strong case for that role. Luckily for Boston, Ceddane Rafaela has returned from injury and given the Red Sox offence a slight boost since coming back.
Although the news coming out of Boston has not been incredibly positive this week, Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez is feeling optimistic about the team's chances in the playoffs. “I just feel so excited that this young group of guys that we have out there are able to do something special. I don’t see anything wrong with these kids, and I don’t see why they shouldn’t give everybody knuckles. Not just the Yankees, but everybody,” Martinez said.
The Red Sox starting pitching is ending the regular season in great condition, with Ranger Suarez, Peyton Tolle, and Sonny Gray ready to go against the Yankees next week.
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