The Boston Red Sox will be facing the New York Yankees in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. That matchup was assured Red Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs by a 4-3 score in the first game of a doubleheader Friday.
This is the second year in a row that the Red Sox and Yankees are meeting in the Wild Card round. Once again, the best of 3 series will be played at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox won the first game of the playoff series a year ago, but lost the next two and their season came to an abrupt conclusion.
The Red Sox may not be able to put their best lineup on the field in the opening round of the postseason. Willson Contreras is the team's best power threat, but he has not been able to swing the bat without pain since being hit in the right hand with a pitch.
Contreras has been out of action for a week, but when he took a round of batting practice Thursday, he could not swing the bat without pain. There is still hope that he will be able to play in the opening round of the postseason against the Yankees, but there are no guarantees.
There is a chance that Contreras, the team's leading home run hitter with 27, may not be able to play. MLB insider Chris Young described that situation as a “huge problem for the Red Sox.”
He is undoubtedly correct, because Conteras is one of the team's top leaders as well as their best hope for the long ball.