TORONTO — The Athletics were a major thorn in the Red Sox’s side last week, taking two of three at Fenway Park to put Boston in an extremely uncomfortable position leading into the final week of the regular season.

But late Tuesday night, the A’s made it up to the Red Sox in a big way.

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The Athletics beat the Houston Astros 5-1 in their series opener, dropping the Astros two games behind the Red Sox with five games to play.

Because the Red Sox also hold the tiebreaker, the Astros would actually have to make up three games to jump Boston in the standings.

That being the case, Boston’s magic number to clinch a playoff berth is now three. If all breaks their way the Red Sox could potentially clinch a playoff spot as soon as Thursday.

Fangraphs now lists Boston’s playoff

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