Red Sox Face Pressure in Final Stretch: Trevor Story Promises Fight for October Spot
As the 2025 MLB season nears its conclusion, the Boston Red Sox find themselves fighting for their playoff lives. With only four games remaining, the magic number for the Red Sox to secure a spot in the postseason stands at just one. However, a disappointing loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, coupled with victories by the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros, has made the road ahead significantly tougher.
The Red Sox’s hope of clinching a playoff berth has not evaporated, but the pressure is mounting. Despite their recent struggles, the team remains in the mix, needing a victory over the Detroit Tigers or a loss by the Astros to the Los Angeles Angels on Friday to guarantee their place in October baseball.
However, the divisional title is no longer within reach. With both the Blue Jays and Yankees ahead of them, Boston can no longer host a first-round series. If they manage to qualify for the postseason, the Red Sox will be forced to travel to Toronto, New York, Detroit, or Cleveland for a best-of-three Wild Card series next week.
Trevor Story’s Leadership and Confidence
For Trevor Story, the team’s veteran shortstop, the season's final stretch is far from over. Story, known for his grit and leadership, shared his thoughts on the situation after the tough loss to the Blue Jays.
“We’ve been on the edge before, and this team knows how to fight. Don’t count us out just yet — if we make it, we’re going to make some noise in October. It’s not over until that final out is called.”
— Trevor Story, SS, Boston Red Sox
His words underscore the unwavering belief that the team, despite facing a difficult road ahead, can still turn things around and make a deep run. Story’s confidence is shared by several other Red Sox players, who know that baseball often hinges on momentum.
A Slim but Possible Path to the Postseason
While the Red Sox’s path to securing a Wild Card spot is far from guaranteed, there’s still a slim possibility for an alternative outcome. If the Red Sox are swept by the Tigers and the Astros sweep the Angels, Boston could still make it — but only if the Cleveland Guardians lose at least two of their three games against the Texas Rangers over the weekend.
This scenario is unlikely, but the Red Sox are prepared to play out every possible scenario. With ace Garrett Crochet set to start in Game 1 of the Wild Card series, if the Red Sox can secure their place, they remain optimistic about their chances, regardless of the venue.
Looking Ahead: The Final Push
All eyes are now on the Red Sox's series against the Tigers. A victory on Friday will not only seal their playoff fate but also provide the much-needed confidence boost to head into the postseason. The Red Sox have been playing better on the road, and a strong finish could help them rediscover their winning form.
As the final games of the regular season unfold, the tension is palpable. With their postseason hopes hanging by a thread, the Red Sox are fighting for every pitch, every play, and every game. The team's resilience will be put to the test over the next few days, and only time will tell if they can make it back to October baseball.
For the Red Sox, the final stretch is more than just about the numbers — it’s about showing what they’re made of when it matters most. With Trevor Story leading the charge, they’re prepared to fight until the last out.
Commanders Try Out Intriguing Australian Punter Oscar Chapman
The Washington Commanders have had a hectic start to the 2025 campaign. While they were without star quarterback Jayden Daniels in Week 3, the Commanders have managed to pick up wins in two of their first three games, and it looks like their magical run to the 2024 NFC Championship Game last year was not a fluke.
However, there is room for improvement in Washington, and the front office is continually looking for ways to improve its roster. On Thursday, that led the Commanders to bring in undrafted Australian punter Oscar Chapman for a tryout, even though the team already has a Pro Bowl-caliber punter, Tress Way, at their disposal.
Commanders Bring in Punter Oscar Chapman for a Tryout
You can never be too thorough in the NFL, and the Commanders are illustrating that by taking a look at another punter, despite having Way at their disposal. A two-time Pro Bowler who also earned a spot on the All-Pro Second Team in 2019, Way has spent his entire 12-year career with Washington, and he remains one of the top players at his position in the league.
If something happens to Way, though, Washington doesn’t have anyone on the depth chart who could come and fill in for him. That led to the team checking out Chapman, a former punter for the Auburn Tigers in college who is looking for his start in the NFL. Chapman didn’t get selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while he spent time with the Minnesota Vikings over the summer, he ended up getting released in August.
Since then, Chapman has been waiting for his next opportunity, and he ended up getting a unique shot to show what he’s capable of for the Commanders. The team brought him in for a tryout on Thursday, and while he isn’t going to steal Way’s job, if Washington needs help at the punter position in the future, he could end up finding his way onto the team.
“Commanders tried out punter Oscar Chapman,” Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reported in a post on X.
Commanders Looking to Earn Second Straight Win in Week 4
GettyWashington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels.
Chapman’s tryout is an interesting side note, but the Commanders’ main focus right now is on finding a way to continue their winning ways. While they looked solid against the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, their Week 2 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers showed that they still have a lot of work to do if they intend on making a Super Bowl run this season.
That starts with winning in Week 4, where Washington will face the Atlanta Falcons. Daniels’ injury status is obviously worth keeping tabs on, but even if he doesn’t play, the Commanders should have a shot to pick up a victory in this game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, and considering how the Falcons are fresh off a 30-0 defeat at the hands of the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, it’s safe to say they will be just as motivated as the Commanders to win this game.
