The Red Sox remain in control of their playoff destiny, for now, despite falling nine games (and counting) behind in the AL East pending two more games against division leader Tampa Bay.
The standings, however, feel like a secondary point to a COVID-19 outbreak that has claimed another victim in star shortstop Xander Bogaerts. The 28-year-old was removed from Boston’s latest game against the Rays thanks to a positive COVID test, which was revealed mid-game.
Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts positive test raises questions
This raises several questions, mainly why was Bogaerts playing in the first place as he awaited the results of a potentially-positive COVID test? Such a decision (if made in the reported order of events) puts other players at risk, and not just those on the Red Sox. One would assume a team in the middle of an outbreak would proceed with caution, rather than so carelessly.
Manager Alex Cora’s comments which proceeded Bogaert’s positive test shed a negative light on the World Series-winning skipper, as well. In the end, he is in charge, and despite Boston being in a pennant race ought to have a little more restraint.
“I’m not going to go into details with this, but I’m not as frustrated with the situation because of knowing everything else about it. I’ve been saying all along, it’s their choice, and you have to respect that. It just happened to us. I’m not as frustrated as if it was a different way, let’s just put it that way,” Cora said pregame.
This is the same team which witnessed the impact COVID-19 had on Boston pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez just last season. The lack of urgency for some — not all — Red Sox players to get the vaccine is rather frustrating given the circumstances.
The Red Sox are one of the few teams which hasn’t reached the 85 percent vaccination threshold, and it’s going to impact their playoff chances. Of course we feel for them, and hope all seven players plus three coaches involved recover swiftly.
We also hope this is a learning moment for Red Sox players and fans who were perhaps on the fence about getting the vaccine in the first place. Please, if you can, do the bare minimum.
