Luke Weaver tells us why this feels different
Some in the Red Sox's clubhouse don't know any better.
There are moments, such as the final out in the top of the eighth inning Sunday night, when a tidal wave of emotions erupted from the Fenway Park crowd after Garrett Whitlock's strikeout of Trent Grisham, that probably felt like some punctuation.
But there were three more outs to get, which Aroldis Chapman secured the next frame for the 6-4 win over the Yankees.
And, more importantly, there were a whole two weeks of regular-season games to play. When you're in the middle of these sorts of games and moments, it's probably difficult to see the big picture. It's too emotional. It's too fun. It's too tempting to be reactionary.
Nathaniel Lowe, however, knew (and knows) the reality of these final two weeks. He lived the life of a roller coaster ride that can exist in the final 14 days of a seven-month season.
"Oh, my gosh, yes," Lowe said of how challenging it can be to not continue with a one-day-at-a-time philosophy, even after just playing Game 150. "It’s a simple recipe. It’s not an easy recipe, but it’s a simple recipe and you have to just show up and compete every day and let the chips fall where they are going to fall.
"It stinks because you want to win by a hundred every day. My first Yankees series here, and you want to beat the brakes off of them. You just have to take it for what it is."
Lowe can offer the perspective because of two years ago. That was when the eventual world champion Rangers barely bobbed and weaved their way into the postseason thanks to the final two weeks.
That team just happened to own an identical 82-68 record as these Red Sox, having had to fend off the doomsday vibes following four losses in a row. At that point, they were on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in, owning a 63 percent chance to make the postseason and a 2.6 percent chance of becoming World Series champs.
Two weeks later, Lowe's team had earned the right to play in October and uncovered a version of itself that would win it all.
"The ups and downs were crazy," Lowe remembered. "It was pretty crazy because there were definitely times where we’re not going to get into the postseason, OK, we have a chance to win the West again and then we have a chance to win the wild card. There’s such a big up and down. That’s how I personally felt. The other 25 could have felt a different way. It’s definitely an experience you don’t forget and an experience I’m glad I have gone through it before."
It sure likes the first baseman is about to live that life all over again.
Two weeks ago, for instance, the Mariners were two games back of Houston in the American League West. Now they are one game up. The Diamondbacks trailed the Mets by 5 1/2 games and now are two games out of the National League wild card picture. And the Red Sox?
Life seemed good for Boston 14 days ago, with Alex Cora's team coming off a series-ending win over Pittsburgh in which Roman Anthony continued his run toward American League Rookie of the Year as the club's leadoff man. The Sox were just 1/2-game behind the Yankees and 2 1/2 up on Seattle. The Rangers? They were a full five back.
Yes, a lot can happen in a couple of weeks.
The good news for the Red Sox is that they also were reminded that a lot can transpire in 24 hours, as well. That dose of reality came thanks to a six-run first inning (the third time in history that the first Red Sox six batters all recorded a hit against the Yankees, with the last time coming in 1989). There was also Garrett Crochet's 20th quality start, giving up three runs over six innings. And, the security blanket that was Steven Matz, Whitlock, and Chapman closing things down for the final three innings.
"I think you could argue we needed every game," Crochet said. "That's kind of been, I think, the general mentality as we've gotten into the last month of the season. Really, from April on, every game counts. So there's always a sense of urgency."
Now, the Red Sox brace themselves for these final two weeks.
They enter into these final 12 games 1 1/2 games behind the Yankees and one game in front of the new third wild card team, Houston. There are three at home against Oakland, three in Toronto, and then a final three vs. Detroit at Fenway.
And in case there is any immediate anxiousness - one way or another - there are plenty of history lessons to draw from. Lowe had one from two seasons ago. The team the Rangers beat in the World Series, Arizona, won 8 or 10 in those last weeks to squeak into the postseason. And last season, the Tigers and Twins flip-flopped their October plans thanks to Detroit going 10-3 and Minnesota landing at 3-10.
Sunday night was a good story for the Red Sox. But it was far from the last one.
"If you told me in Fort Myers we were in a playoff spot with two weeks left, I would have taken it," Cora noted. "I know people here would have taken it, too. We’re not perfect, like I always said. But it’s a good baseball team. Be ready for Tuesday."