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Episode Summary

The Red Sox took two of three from the Royals, powered by Payton Tolle’s dominant outing, Roman Anthony’s clutch hitting, and a big insurance knock from Trevor Story. But with Boston selling playoff tickets before officially clinching, the crew isn’t ready to celebrate just yet.

Jim, Nick, and John break down the Kansas City series, preview the difficult road ahead against Texas and Tampa Bay, examine the crowded American League playoff race, debate the AL MVP, and ask whether the Red Sox should extend Tolle this offseason—or make him prove it for another year.

Key Takeaways

* Payton Tolle opened Sunday’s game with an immaculate inning and finished with six scoreless innings and seven strikeouts.

* Roman Anthony delivered another clutch hit in a pressure-packed September situation.

* Trevor Story continued his strong production since returning, driving in two crucial insurance runs.

* Willson Contreras returned from the injured list and reached base three times.

* Boston won the series despite going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position Friday night.

* The Red Sox began selling postseason tickets before officially clinching, drawing plenty of ridicule from the crew.

* Texas has plenty to play for and a favorable remaining schedule, making the upcoming series dangerous.

* Boston may have the toughest remaining schedule among the American League playoff contenders.

* The crew remains divided over Boston’s chances of surviving a Wild Card series against the Yankees.

* Jim and Nick favor waiting another season before committing major money to Tolle.

* John argues Boston should explore a long-term Tolle extension immediately.

* The Red Sox have improved their playoff position, but nobody on the show trusts them enough to relax.

Chapters

00:00 Red Sox Digest Opening Monologue01:42 Red Sox Take Two of Three From Kansas City03:15 Friday’s Offensive Failure With Runners in Scoring Position04:38 Ranger Suárez Settles Everything Down05:52 Payton Tolle’s Immaculate Inning and Dominant Start08:35 Nick’s Word of the Day: Playoff Tickets13:05 Red Sox–Rangers Pitching Matchups and Predictions18:40 Boston’s Difficult Remaining Schedule25:10 Previewing the Tampa Bay Series31:35 Cleveland, Chicago and the Crowded Wild Card Race40:20 Who Should Win the American League MVP?51:58 Should the Red Sox Extend Payton Tolle?58:30 Viewer Comments, Yankees Matchup and Final Thoughts

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