Start SS Xander Bogaerts tested positive for Covid-19 Tuesday. He started the game and had an RBI before being pulled in the bottom of the 2nd inning.
This is a big blow to the Red Sox as they are right in the thick of things vying for a spot in October. With being 10 games back in the east their only hope is going to be a wild card spot which they hold onto the 2nd one only by 1 game. With this news, the Red Sox lose a key cog in their lineup, and losers of their last 3 Boston only have a 1 game lead over the Oakland A’s for that 2nd wild card spot.
Boston has a tough stretch coming up facing the Rays twice this series and then starting a 3 game series against the Ray next Monday. Then possibly have him out for next weekend’s series against the White Sox who you need all of the offensive firepower to have a fighting chance against.
Once Xander returns they probably will be out of the 2nd wild card spot but how far is going to be the thing to keep an eye on. Manager Alex Cora will be earning his paycheck if he can keep the team from tail spinning while Xander is out.
Wishing Xander a speedy recovery!
