MLB Wild Card Races: Oh, Hey, These Things Just Got Interesting Again

After months of knowing exactly who was going to the playoffs, it seems like things aren't that simple anymore.

Red Sox Vs. Orioles: Boston Falls To Baltimore, Wild Card Lead Slipping Away

Another day, another bad Boston Red Sox loss. Once again, the leaders in the AL Wild Card race have fallen to the Baltimore Orioles after taking a lead deep into the game. This is their second-straight loss to the O's and third in the last four games, which is not exactly a good way to warm up for a crucial series against the New York Yankees.

Mark Reynolds had a big day for Baltimore, homering twice and driving in three of their six runs in a 6-4 win over the Sox. His solo home run in the 2nd inning put the O's on the board, but Boston would put up four runs before the end of the fifth inning. J.J. Hardy made it 4-2 Boston in the top of the 6th with an RBI single before Reynolds hit his second home run of the night in the seventh, a two-run shot to make it 4-4.

In the top of the eighth, a struggling Josh Beckett gave up a single to Hardy, and two batters later Nick Markakis hit a ground-rule double, putting runners on second and third with one out. Alfredo Aceves came on in relief but couldn't retire the first batter he faced, as Vladimir Guerrero singled to center field, scoring both Hardy and Markakis to give the O's a 6-4 lead.

Boston's loss left them with a two-game lead in the AL Wild Card over the Los Angeles Angels, who won on Wednesday night. The New York Yankees clinched the AL East with a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays shortly after the Red Sox game ended. The Rays' loss ensured Boston's lead in the Wild Card remained at 2.5 games.

Red Sox Vs. Orioles: O's Come Back To Win, Sox's Wild Card Lead Still At 2

It's officially (still) panic time for Red Sox Nation, as the Baltimore Orioles have taken a 2-1 lead in a crucial series for the Boston Red Sox, winning 7-5 Tuesday night in comeback fashion. The Sawx still lead the Tampa Bay Rays by two games in the wild card race after the New York Yankees did their biggest rivals a favor.

This game, however, isn't panic-inducing because of the standings; it's because of how the Sox played. They were leading the O's 5-4 in the eighth inning when their two best relievers, Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon, combined to load the bases before Robert Andino's double — against this playoff-hopeful's closer — cleared them.

Obviously, the Red Sox are still in fantastic position. They have a two-game lead with seven games to play, three of which are against those same Yankees, whom, quite frankly, the Red Sox have dominated all season long. Those games must look like an oasis right now.

The Yankees' supposed big disadvantage to the Sox, starting pitching, hasn't been too reliable for the boys from Yawkey Way recently. Tuesday's starting pitcher, Erik Bedard, threw 51 pitches in the third inning, the most by any pitcher this season, continuing a string of disappointing appearances by a rotation that has backed into September.

What's worse, the back end of the bullpen, Bard and Papelbon - which had been a huge strength all season long - is looking less and less strong. There's another game against the Orioles tomorrow for the Red Sox, while the Rays and Yankees have a doubleheader, so all this may be moot if the Yanks can sweep.

Even if the Sox make the playoffs, it's hard to have any confidence in a long October run considering how little they've shown in September.

Red Sox vs. Orioles: Boston Explodes For 18-9 Win

Red Sox Lose To Orioles, Wild Card Lead Over Rays Shrinks To 1.5 Games