If you are wondering what’s wrong with the Boston Red Sox right now, don’t look at the box score. Just look at their treadmill. No, really, because that’s where Roman Anthony, the one who made Boston’s lineup feel like a danger every single night, is celebrating a 25-minute walk! And if this feels like a small feat for a player who was supposed to carry Boston in October, it is because it is.

But Alex Cora, amidst the Boston Red Sox’s downfall, did try to instill some positivity surrounding this news. “He’s walking on a treadmill..Up to 25 minutes. Yesterday he told me it was a great walk. He walked into the clubhouse and said, ’25-minute walk, it was great.’ He’s doing better. Still sore, but adding stuff to his rehab.” One can almost picture Anthony trying to stay upbeat, and everyone simply waiting for the good news to come in.

But here is the truth—there is no timetable and no return date that has been circled on the calendar. There are just a handful of regular games left, and the young star is only just getting started with his walk! And you bet the team misses him, because the team right now and the team with him—there is a lot of difference. And Buster Olney of ESPN just highlighted how Anthony was noticed and appreciated by rivals Yankees and that’s huge.

Buster Olney mentioned in ESPN, “When the Red Sox took the first three games of a four-game series against the Yankees in late August, New York manager Aaron Boone was asked how Boston had improved during the season. “Roman Anthony is pretty good,” he replied, noting the difference the lefty-hitting rookie made.” Olney also highlighted that since Anthony has been out of the lineup with an oblique injury, Boston is feeling his absence in a significant way. In 35 games before he got hurt, he had a .326 average, and the Red Sox were 22-13. Since his injury, the Red Sox have gone 5-7, averaging less than 4.0 runs per game. So this is not a coincidence; it is a gaping hole.

Even analyst Lenny DiNardo pointed out how crucial Anthony is, so that speaks a lot about how crucial Anthony is. But for now, there is a development for which Boston can celebrate—at least for the moment. So, by the time the 10th inning rolled around at Fenway on Wednesday, Cleveland had already taken care of the Tigers. This meant just one thing—Boston had to win or risk watching their cushion for the final wild card spot shrink below two games. And it wasn’t easy for them.

The top of the 10th had every fan holding their breath, but Boston powered through and pushed across the winning run in the bottom half for a 5-4 walk-off. Sure, it was not flashy, but right now, style points don’t matter; survival does—and they managed. This win has kept them locked in with Seattle at 83-69. The head-to-head is even at 3-3, so the next tiebreaker will come down to the division records. But Boston still has six very brutal AL East games left against Tampa and Toronto. So for now, Anthony’s update and the game win might feel comfortable—but that’s far from what they are.

The Red Sox are juggling more than just the wild-card race

Right now, the one thing Boston Red Sox fans don’t need is any more wait time. The playoff race is heating up, and every game feels like it carries double the weight. The Boston Red Sox don’t have that luxury of time, but it seems for them, patience is the name of the game when it comes to Wilyer Abreu. The 26-year-old has not played since August 17 due to a calf strain. And sure, his bat and glove would be a great addition right now, but Cora is adamant—he doesn’t want to rush. Before Wednesday night’s game against the Oakland A’s, he explained that Abreu won’t be activated during the A series.

Alex Cora said, “He’s gonna run. He’s not gonna run the bases; he’s gonna sprint. Do the other stuff. Baseball-wise, doesn’t look like it will be [Thursday]. So we just have to be patient.” This patience aspect is easier to stomach when he pulls off wins, but if not, it is just a gut punch. Also talking about the future, Boston actually survived a rough outing from veteran Lucas Giolito.

He gave up four earned runs in just over four innings! His short start wasn’t without long-term implications. See, by crossing the 140-inning threshold, he converted the next year’s club option into a mutual option, and that essentially locked him in for free agency. Boston, although still owing him a $1.5 million buyout, in case no extension is done. However, Giolito was not interested in talking about the contracts. “I don’t care. I’m disappointed in my performance (Wednesday). This could have been a much easier win than it had to be. I’ve taken the approach to not try to think about that kind of stuff and really just focus on taking the ball and giving the team a chance to win.” So the Red Sox are not just facing adversaries on the field; they are juggling plenty off the field, too. All the while trying to keep their postseason hopes alive.