It’s not easy for a team to stay in contention after trading its best player, but that’s exactly what the Boston Red Sox are doing. They traded star designated hitter / third baseman Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in June, but they still own the AL’s third Wild Card spot ahead of Friday’s bout with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Boston Red Sox have not met expectations so far, but are still in a position to make the postseason. They should be getting Alex Bregman back soon.

The Boston Red Sox will be without their starting third baseman against the Los Angeles Dodgers after Marcelo Mayer got put on the IL.

The 22-year-old infielder made his big-league debut May 24 when the Red Sox placed All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman on the injured list with a quad strain. When Bregman returned two weeks ago, the Red Sox opted to keep Mayer up and option fellow infielder David Hamilton, who was recalled Friday to take the roster spot.

Alex Bregman, Wilyer Abreu hit home runs in the 8th inning that extended the Boston Red Sox's lead over the Chicago Cubs.