Sat Sep 27 00:40:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text:
**Red Sox on Brink of Playoff Berth After Crochet’s Gem, Astros’ Loss**
**TORONTO —** The Boston Red Sox are on the verge of clinching their first postseason appearance since 2021. A dominant eight-inning performance from Garrett Crochet in a 7-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, coupled with the Houston Astros’ loss to the Oakland Athletics, has lowered Boston’s magic number to just one.
The Red Sox could secure a Wild Card spot as early as Thursday afternoon, even before they take the field against the Blue Jays. An Astros loss in their 3:30 p.m. ET game against the Athletics would automatically send Boston to the playoffs.
Regardless, the Red Sox have a chance to clinch with a victory of their own. They will face the Blue Jays at 7:07 p.m. ET at Rogers Centre, with Brayan Bello (11-8, 3.34 ERA) set to take the mound for Boston. Louis Varland (4-3, 3.10 ERA) will start for Toronto.
The Red Sox have surged towards a playoff berth on the back of a strong 4-1 road trip. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are reeling, having lost six of their last seven games. Their once comfortable lead in the AL East has evaporated, leaving them now tied for first with the Yankees.
A Red Sox victory on Thursday could further damage the Blue Jays’ playoff position and potentially knock them out of sole possession of first place in the AL East, pending the result of the Yankees-White Sox game. Boston currently holds the second Wild Card spot and is three games behind Toronto in the division.
While Bello has struggled historically against the Blue Jays (3-5 with a 5.36 ERA in 10 career starts), Crochet’s dominant outing on Wednesday shows how well the Red Sox can perform. All eyes will be on Toronto to see if the Red Sox can bring home their first playoff appearance in two years.
First Piper 