The Next 14 Red Sox Games Could Make Or Break Them: Here's Why

The next two weeks of baseball could decide whether the Red Sox defend their World Series championship in the playoffs or bow out before the postseason even begins. Boston plays the next 14 games against the two teams ahead of them in the American League East — the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. Boston won't play another team until Aug. 5, and will have less than 50 games remaining when it comes out of this stretch against their division rivals.

Meanwhile, the front office has to decide whether to add to the team — particularly the bullpen — or sell in hopes of a strong rebound next year. If the Red Sox stumble to begin this upcoming stretch, stars such as J.D. Martinez and even Mookie Betts could possibly be moved by the July 31 trade deadline.

The Red Sox need a miracle to win the division. The Yankees have the American League's best record and lead the Red Sox by 11 games, which is close to insurmountable in late July.

The Red Sox are three games behind Oakland for the final wild card spot, with Tampa Bay also jostling for position. The Rays have fallen out of the AL East race, but are still two games up on Boston.

Boston enters Monday night's game at Tampa Bay with a 54-46 record that should be much beefier. The Red Sox may have hit their lowest point again Sunday after being one-hit by a wretched Orioles team, which won two of three games in the series.