Red Sox Rival Takes Hit In American League East Race

The Toronto Blue Jays have been in sole possession of first place in the American League East since July 3. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have each kept pace with them recently, sitting just two and three games behind them, respectively.

Toronto has 19 games to play and is four games ahead of the Red Sox in the loss column. While they’re in good shape to hold on to the division, they’ll have a harder time after placing shortstop Bo Bichette on the 10-day injured list with a knee injury.

The assignment was retroactive to September 7, meaning Bichette will have to sit out for at least the next eight days. After an off-day on Monday, Toronto plays 13 games in 13 days before its next day off. Following the off day on September 22, they start a three-game series with the Red Sox.

Bichette has been one of the most productive offensive players in the American League this season. In 139 games, he’s slashing .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs. He leads all of Major League Baseball in hits and doubles.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays called up Joey Loperfido. It’s not a like-for-like swap as Loperfido plays in the outfield. In 30 games, Loperfido is hitting .358 with three home runs.

Isiah Kiner-Falela and Ernie Clement will likely play the lion’s share of innings at shortstop in Bichette’s absence. While neither is an upgrade over Bichette at the plate, both provide stronger defense up the middle.

Should the Red Sox pass both the Yankees and Blue Jays to win the American League East, there’s a chance they bypass the Wild Card round and earn a bye to the Divisional round. The Blue Jays currently own the best record in the American League, and Boston is already ahead of the Houston Astros by record. If the Red Sox play their way to a division title, they’ll likely have one of the top two records in the American League.