The Boston Red Sox are trying to gain the top wild card spot in the American League, but they have been doing it largely without superstar third baseman Alex Bregman's contributions for the last two weeks. 

The Boston Red Sox enter play on Monday at 79-65 as they open up a three-game series against the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif. Boston is still in good position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021, as they own the second wild card spot in the American League, but at 1.5 games back of the New York Yankees, they are losing ground in the battle for the first wild card spot.

Why is that important? Because the first wild card spot gets a guaranteed home series. Beyond that, Boston is now 3.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays in the battle for the American League East, which they still have an outside shot at capturing.

And if the Red Sox are going to accomplish either of those goals, they'll need more production from third baseman Alex Bregman, who has been mired in a woeful slump of late.

Per Justin Havens of Underdog Fantasy:

Alex Bregman has lost nearly 100 points off his 2025 season OPS from Aug. 22 (.933) to entering play today (.837).

From Aug. 23-Sept. 7 he has hit .117/.182/.150 (.332 OPS) with 0 HR in 66 PA.

That .332 OPS is the lowest OPS of the 185 qualified MLB batters since Aug. 23.

Bregman faltering at the worst time

According to Tankathon, the Red Sox have the sixth-hardest schedule remaining in baseball. They have nine of their last 18 games remaining against teams over .500, and all of those games are against teams ahead of them in the standings. Furthermore, the three games against the Rays won't be easy, as Tampa is just one game under .500 at 71-72.

If Boston is going to navigate this challenging schedule to the level they want, they'll need Bregman to be a big part of it.

It's also hurting him financially, potentially

Bregman signed a three-year deal worth $120 million last offseason, but he has an opt-out after each of the first two years. The prevailing thought has been that he'd opt-out in search of a five-year deal or so, but at 31 years old, will executives hold these final few weeks against him? Does he decide to opt back into Boston's deal and try again in the offseason before the 2027 season?

With potential labor unrest, is that something he wants to do? Or does he opt-out and take a less lucrative deal this offseason? It's all unclear, but regardless, poor play down the stretch could have a big impact.

Bregman's overall season

In addition to this slump, Bregman also missed time in the middle of the season with a leg injury. He's hitting .278 in total with 16 home runs and a .360 on-base percentage. His OPS+ of 130 is solid, but it is below his career average of 132, and his .837 OPS is below his career average of .847.

If those declines don't reverse over the final three weeks of the season, it could impact Bregman even more going forward.

What's next

Bregman and the Red Sox will look for another win on Monday night when they send Garrett Crochet to the mound against A's rookie Luis Morales. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. ET.