If you thought bullpen fatigue was a myth, then Tuesday’s game at Fenway proved otherwise. The Boston Red Sox were handed a sad 2-1 loss by the Athletics. And it was a game that just left the fans shaking their heads. Because it’s not like the pitching talent was not there—it was actually solid. But the offense once again left the chat. Going for 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position and leaving nine men on base.

Boston didn’t deliver, even though rookie Connelly Early was a bright spot. It was just his second career start, and he allowed a single run on five hits, walked none, and struck out seven over 5⅓ innings. But then that was about it. The moment he left, the drama began, and at the thick of it was Greg Weissert. He came in with one out and a runner on first in the sixth and struck out Brent Cooker.

However, things took a sour turn. An RBI double from Tyler Soderstrom tied the game. Then it was followed by a walk to Carlos Cortes and a go-ahead single to Brett Harris. Justin Wilson replaced Weissert, but it was too late—the damage was done. However, while even Weissert takes the blame for this loss on his shoulders, an insider feels it’s not his guilt to carry alone.

Lenny DiNardo didn’t mince words and mentioned to NESN, “Greg Weissert—listen, he’s been outstanding this year, but he’s tired. He’s thrown so many innings, so many appearances. You can see it translate into his stuff. It’s just not as sharp, and he’s missing over the middle like yesterday.” And yes, honestly, they did have Tolle and Harrison in the bullpen as well.

Now the 30-year-old does know he did the damage, and he expressed his frustration. After talking about the loss and falling to 6-6 with a 3.06 ERA and nine blown saves, tied for the MLB lead. “We lose that game because I can’t do my job. It’s so important to get it to them (Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman). We’re fighting all game. Early pitches an unbelievable game, and I go in there and do that bull****. It sucks.”

But the truth is, it really is not all on him, given that the Boston Red Sox’s offense also didn’t help at all. They were squandering a bases-loaded, no-out chance in the second and struggling without Anthony, who is on the IL. Manager Alex Cora did address the issue, saying, “We’ve just got to keep getting better with men in scoring position. Hit the ball the other way. Put the ball in play. I don’t think we hit the ball in the air that much today.” At the end of the day, it’s a mix of the bullpen overuse and the offensive struggles that ended up being the nail in the coffin. Boston Red Sox fans have seen this story play out time and again—so maybe the team needs to reevaluate its strategy soon, because time is running out.

Does Boston really still have a chance?

Right now, the picture in front of Boston is rather grim—they are in third place in the AL Wild Card standings. Their 2-1 loss to Oakland was a bitter one, and the scoreboard wasn’t kind elsewhere either. The New York Yankees ended up winning against the Twins 10-9, and then the Astros moved past the Rangers in a similar close 6-4. So this leaves Boston behind Houston and New York.

So the standing snapshot is this—Yankees 84-67 (+2.5), Astros 83-69 (+0.5), and Red Sox 82-69. Yikes. But the good news is that the Red Sox still have some breathing room. The Cleveland Guardians sit 2.5 games back, and the Rangers are 3.5 games back. FanGraphs still gives the Red Sox an 86.3% chance when it comes to reaching the postseason. But here is the kicker—just a week ago, that number was in the 90s.

But losing four of the last five games has made Boston’s room for error razor-thin. The schedule too won’t offer them any mercy. They have two games against the last-place A’s, and that is followed by three against the Rays. They are .500 and may look winnable, but the final week is trial by fire—three at first-place Toronto, then three home games against the Tigers.

If the playoff started today, then the Boston Red Sox would face Houston in the wild card, and while they won the season series 4-2, postseason baseball is unpredictable. And everyone remembers 2021, when the Astros sent Boston home in the ALCS. So while there is a chance, it’s a rather slim one. But it will take grit, timely hitting, and loads of luck, too.