If the Red Sox keep playing like this, though, it threatens to be an awfully short October — assuming they qualify. The Sox dropped another stunner, 4-3, in 11 innings to the Orioles, after leaving the bases loaded in the eighth, ninth, and 10th innings.

The Boston Red Sox are taking a low-risk gamble on first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. First base has been a problem position for the Red Sox all year, so when Lowe became available to sign for the veteran minimum,