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3 reasons why the Red Sox surpassed the Blue Jays for a playoff spot after their awful start

Taking a look at 3 reasons why the Boston Red Sox was able to overcome their sluggish start to 2026 to make the playoffs while the Toronto Blue Jays weren’t able to

Published: Friday, 25 September 2026 at 11:00 AM
3 reasons why the Red Sox surpassed the Blue Jays for a playoff spot after their awful start
Key Things to Know
  • The Red Sox secured a 2026 MLB playoff berth after starting the season 31-44 through 75 games.
  • Boston became the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason after that poor 75-game start.
  • The Blue Jays struggled early with a 17-23 record and failed to maintain pace with Boston.
The Story in 60 Seconds

The Boston Red Sox overcame an awful start to surpass the Toronto Blue Jays and secure an MLB postseason spot in the final week of the 2026 season. Despite opening the year with a 31-44 record over their first 75 games, Boston rallied to become the only team in MLB history to recover from that mark and qualify for the playoffs.

Key offensive production helped spark Boston's resurgence, particularly while Roman Anthony missed extended time due to a hand injury. Star first baseman Willson Contreras stepped up to lead the Red Sox attack, posting 27 home runs, 81 RBIs, and an OPS over .900.

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