AL East

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart hit a pair of home runs in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the New York Yankees, becoming the first Red Sox rookie since Jason Varitek (a fellow catcher) in 1998 to hit multiple homers in a game at Yankee Stadium, per Sportsnet Stats.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roberto Osuna recorded his 20th save of the season in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the first Blue Jays rookie since Billy Koch (31) in 1999 to record 20 or more saves in a season, per Sportsnet Stats.

The pick-an-ace game of chance will not work in October.

The New York Yankees need a definitive answer. But for nearly six months, that all-important No. 1 spot in the rotation has been a revolving door of what-have-you-done-for-me-lately candidates, none of which have been able to keep the position in their grasps for what seems like more than a couple of weeks at a time because of ineffectiveness, injuries or both. 

The Boston Red Sox announced Sunday that Sam Kennedy, the team's chief operating officer, will be taking over as club president on Oct. 16. He'll inherit the position from Larry Lucchino, who will remain with the franchise as the president/CEO emeritus and as part of the ownership group.

The best team in baseball this season may just play north of the border, and the Toronto Blue Jays will now have an entire postseason to prove their worth. 

Toronto technically clinched a playoff berth Friday night after its win over the Tampa Bay Rays, the team announced Saturday morning: 

The Boston Red Sox continue to fill out their front office, with Frank Wren joining the team as senior vice president of baseball operations. 

NEW YORK — Over in the National League, the Wild Card Game matchup seemed set weeks ago.

Here in the American League, no one wants to acknowledge that any part of it is set yet.

After battling a left forearm contusion, jammed thumb and right elbow contusion, Boston Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval has been diagnosed with pneumonia, according to CSN New England's Sean McAdam. 

Continue for updates. 

The Boston Red Sox officially promoted Mike Hazen to general manager Thursday, the team confirmed. Hazen takes over for Ben Cherington, who resigned shortly after Dave Dombrowski was named president of baseball operations.    

Small stumbles can be unforgivable offenses when races are so close. 

The slightest advantage this late in the process can be too large to overcome. And if the competition is outpacing everyone else anyway, well then it becomes that man’s race to lose.