The Boston Red Sox had finally done it. They made the playoffs. While many other MLB fans have witnessed a much longer wait, for Boston, it's like waiting a century. Unfortunately, after beating the New York Yankees in Game 1, the Red Sox fell apart, losing the last two games to be sent packing from the Wild Card Series.
Argue with a wall, but the Red Sox technically didn't belong in the postseason with all the inconsistent months and the injuries to their star players heading into the playoffs. Crafty and postseason veterans like Alex Bregman, Nathaniel Lowe, and Aroldis Chapman kept this team afloat with their drive and hunger; however, there was one concern that had plagued this team all season, and it ended up costing them when it mattered the most: their one-run game record.
Red Sox Issues in 1-Run Games Played Role in Early Playoff Exit
Before the MLB postseason began, the Red Sox owned a 22-26 record (45.8%) in one-run games. Although they went 16-9 in that regard after a 6-17 start, Boston might still be alive today if it had more success in close contests.
The Red Sox's woes reared their head again in Game 2's 4-3 loss, making the "one-run game" moniker a little too repetitive. Considering how every other American League team in the playoffs was .500 or better in one-run games, one can argue that Wednesday's outcome wasn't surprising. That's especially true since the Yankees owned a 51.1% win percentage (23-22) in one-run games during the regular season.
The Red Sox never recovered from the one-run loss, as the momentum went to the Yankees, leading to a 4-0 elimination loss in Game 3. Now, it's time to regroup and focus on how to prevent this issue from repeating in 2026. Improving in this area might be the difference between a deep playoff run and another opening-round elimination.
The Red Sox may have lost on Thursday, but remember, it's only the beginning of what's shaping up to be a bright future in Boston. A strong offseason performance from Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow would be a statement to prove to the doubters that this Red Sox team is to be feared, both next season and beyond.
In the meantime, fans will be left to wonder if a better execution in one-run games would have the Red Sox preparing for an AL Division Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.