After the Red Sox missed opportunities to expand their lead early and then couldn’t hold it later, they found themselves slipping in the playoff picture.

The Red Sox loss, combined with wins for the Yankees, Astros and Guardians, made for a bad night for Boston.

The Red Sox fell from the No. 5 spot to the No. 6 spot in the playoff picture as the Astros, leapfrogged them into the No. 5 spot. Boston would now have to fly to Seattle for the best-of-three wild-card series if the current standings hold.

Houston beat Texas and is now a half-game ahead of the Red Sox. Cleveland’s win over Detroit moved the Guardians within 2½ games of Boston as they try to wrest the final playoff spot away from them.

Notably, the Astros are just a half-game back of the Mariners and could take over the West

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