The visiting Boston Red Sox could double their impact on the American League playoff race Thursday night as they go for a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays

They could be in a position to clinch a postseason berth with a win in the finale of the three-game series. And they could knock the Blue Jays out of first in the AL East, depending on the result of the game between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox on Thursday.

The Red Sox (87-71) defeated the Blue Jays (90-68) by a 7-1 margin Wednesday night behind the pitching of Garrett Crochet, who allowed three hits and no runs in eight innings.

The ultimate indignity came when the lumbering Alejandro Kirk was thrown out at first by Wilyer Abreu on a line drive to right field for the final out of the game.

The Yankees moved into a first-

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