Red Sox Playoff Scenarios: How Boston Can Still Make 2024 MLB Playoffs

After a dramatic 6-5 extra-inning win on Wednesday night in Toronto, the Boston Red Sox still (somehow) find themselves alive in the playoff race. Four American League teams -- the New York Yankees, Cleveland Guardians, Houston Astros, and Baltimore Orioles -- have all clinched spots for October baseball.

With the final two AL wild card berths still up for grabs, the Red Sox are clinging for dear life and their fate could come down to the last weekend of the season.

To make the playoffs, the Red Sox will need to take care of their own business and get some help from across the league. Despite miniscule playoff chances, here's what Boston needs to miraculously squeak their way into the 2024 MLB Postseason.

Boston Red Sox (80 -78) | 4 Games Remaining | 0.7% chance to make playoffs

Red Sox need: 4-0 finish

Remaining Schedule:
Wed. 9/25: @ TOR (73-85)
Fri. 9/27: vs. TB (78-79)
Sat. 9/28: vs. TB (78-79)
Sun. 9/29: vs. TB (78-79)

The work for the Red Sox to still do is pretty clear cut: win out or the rest of this conversation is a moot point.

Boston is holding onto a thread to their playoff hopes after winning their last four games. They will have to win their next four to have any shot at making the playoffs.

The Red Sox wrap up their series in Toronto tonight before returning home to Fenway Park for a final three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston is 5-5 against the Rays in 2024.

Kansas City Royals (83-74) | 5 Games Remaining | 82.1% chance to make playoffs

Red Sox need: 1-4 finish

Remaining Schedule:
Wed. 9/25: @ WAS (69-88)
Thurs. 9/26: @ WAS (69-88)
Fri. 9/27: @ ATL (86-71)
Sat. 9/28: @ ATL (86-71)
Sun. 9/29: @ ATL (86-71)

The Kansas City Royals currently hold the second American League wild card spot. The Royals are seemingly trying to do everything in their power to miss out on the playoffs, as they had lost seven straight games prior to eeking out a 1-0 extra inning win Tuesday night over the Washington Nationals.

Kansas City will play two more times in the nation's capital before heading south to Atlanta for a final three-game set on the road. The Braves are currently 0.5 games out of a playoff spot, so this weekend series could carry major implications for both squads.

With the Red Sox only able to afford one KC win in their last five games, Boston fans will be huge Nationals and Braves fans in the coming days (should Red Sox continue to win).

The Red Sox went 4-2 vs. the Kansas City Royals this season.

Minnesota Twins (81-76) | 5 Games Remaining | 26.7% chance to make playoffs

Red Sox need: 2-3 finish

Remaining Schedule:
Wed. 9/25: vs. MIA (58-99)
Thurs. 9/26: vs. MIA (58-99)
Fri. 9/27: vs. BAL (87-70)
Sat. 9/28: vs. BAL (87-70)
Sun. 9/29: vs. BAL (87-70)

Minnesota Twins surprisingly dropped a 4-1 contest to the Miami Marlins – the worst team in the National League – on Tuesday night. The Twins host the Marlins for two more games at Target Field, and will be in their familiar confines at home for the remainder of the regular season.

Like the Royals, Minnesota has struggled as of late – only winning one of their last six games. The Red Sox took two of three from the Twins last weekend at Fenway Park.

After wrapping up with the Marlins, the Minnesota will welcome the Baltimore Orioles into town. Baltimore clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night.

The Red Sox went 3-3 vs. the Minnesota Twins this season.

Seattle Mariners (81-77) | 4 Games Remaining | 3 % chance to make playoffs

Red Sox need: 2-2 finish

Remaining Schedule:
Wed. 9/25: @ HOU (86-72)
Fri. 9/27: vs. OAK (68-89)
Sat. 9/28: vs. OAK (68-89)
Sun. 9/29: vs. OAK (68-89)

The first non-AL Central team on this list, Seattle dropped a 4-3 decision to the Houston Astros on Tuesday night. Houston's win clinched the Astros' eight-straight playoff berth. After Seattle held a 10-game lead over Houston in the division on June 18, the Astros have mounted a remarkable comeback to seize their fourth-consecutive division crown.

The Mariners have one more game against their AL West division rival before returning home to host the Oakland A's for three games.

The Red Sox went 4-3 vs. the Seattle Mariners this season.

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