Red Sox Wrap: Boston’s Playoff Hopes Officially Over With Loss To Blue Jays

There officially will be no postseason again for the Boston Red Sox as they were eliminated from playoff contention after a 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.

The Red Sox dropped to 80-79 while the Blue Jays improved to 74-85.

Check out the full box score here.

ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
There’s no more math left to do. Boston’s quest to take the third and final American League wild-card spot came up short as its loss coupled by wins from the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers ensured their would be no October baseball for the Red Sox this season.

The Red Sox stayed in the hunt much longer than the past two seasons, but it doesn’t lessen the sting at all. They had their chances, as they did in their loss to the Blue Jays, over the second half to make up ground, but whether it was the team’s bullpen struggles or offense going cold, the Red Sox couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.

The Red Sox will now look to the future with them having to watch the playoffs from home for a third straight season. They got a glimpse of it in the series finale with Richard Fitts making his fourth career start in the big leagues.

Fitts finally gave up an earned run after 18 2/3 innings without allowing one to start his career. He tossed five innings and surrendered four runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old showed he has the makings to be a back-end of the rotation arm next season.

While that will excite some Boston fans, it would have been way better if the Red Sox were thinking about the playoffs instead of the potential of next season.

STARS OF THE GAME
— Alejandro Kirk powered the Blue Jays offense as Toronto’s designated hitter drove in three runs and finished 3-for-4 at the plate with a double.

— Triston Casas helped the Red Sox score their only run with an RBI single to plate Jarren Duran in the top of the sixth. It was Casas’ 30th RBI of the season.

— Jonatan Clase turned in a memorable performance as he belted the first home run of his career — a two-run shot — off Josh Winckowski in the bottom of the seventh. The Blue Jays center field went 3-for-3 with a walk.

ON DECK AT NESN
The Red Sox begin their final series of the season Friday against Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Boston will send Nick Pivetta to the mound in the series opener. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET and you can watch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.